Liberian Cargo Vessel ST.SOFIA Detained in Yingkou

The general cargo vessel ST.SOFIA, flagged under Liberia, was detained during a Port State Control inspection at the port of Yingkou on 19 Jul 2026. The inspection, conducted under the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), identified a total of eight deficiencies, four of which were considered detainable. ST.SOFIA has a gross tonnage of 15,549 and a deadweight of 16,576. The vessel is operated by the ISM company HGF Denizcilik Ltd Sti. The detention indicates that the deficiencies found posed significant safety or regulatory compliance concerns that required immediate rectification before the vessel could continue its operations. Port State Control inspections under the Tokyo MOU aim to ensure that foreign ships visiting regional ports comply with international safety, security, and environmental standards. Detentions are a measure to enforce compliance and protect maritime safety. The vessel will remain detained until the identified issues are resolved and verified by the authorities, ensuring that ST.SOFIA meets all applicable maritime regulations before resuming service.