General Cargo Ship SOFICO Detained in Dalian

The general cargo/multipurpose vessel SOFICO (IMO 9140504) has been detained at the port of Dalian following a Port State Control inspection conducted under the Tokyo MOU on 21 Aug 2026. Inspectors identified six deficiencies aboard the vessel, four of which were classified as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the ship pending rectification. The SOFICO is flagged in Palau, has a gross tonnage of 1,998 and a deadweight of 3,645 tonnes. The vessel is managed under the ISM Code by Sparco International Shipping Co Ltd. Detentions under the Tokyo MOU framework are issued when inspectors determine that deficiencies pose a risk to the safety of the ship, its crew, or the environment, or when they indicate non-compliance with international maritime conventions. The Tokyo MOU covers port state control cooperation among maritime authorities across the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to eliminate substandard shipping through harmonised inspection regimes. The vessel will remain detained in Dalian until the identified deficiencies are addressed to the satisfaction of port state control officers and clearance is granted for onward sailing. No further details on the specific nature of the deficiencies or a timeline for release have been disclosed.