Bulk Carrier Pacific Blessing Detained in Port State Control Inspection

The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier PACIFIC BLESSING (IMO 9848089) has been detained following a Port State Control inspection under the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding. The inspection took place at Cape Flattery, Queensland, on 06 May 2026. Inspectors identified 12 deficiencies during the examination, one of which was assessed as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the vessel in port pending rectification. Details of the specific nature of the deficiencies have not been disclosed in the report. The vessel is managed under the ISM Code by HMM Ocean Service Co Ltd, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with international safety and operational standards. Port State Control detentions occur when inspectors determine that a ship's condition, equipment, or crew certification pose a risk to safety, the environment, or when deficiencies are serious enough to warrant the vessel remaining in port until issues are addressed. The Indian Ocean MoU is one of several regional Port State Control regimes that carry out inspections of foreign-flagged vessels calling at member ports to verify compliance with international maritime conventions. Further updates on the vessel's status are expected once rectification measures have been completed and verified by port authorities. No additional information regarding the release timeline of PACIFIC BLESSING has been provided at this stage.