Vehicle Carrier ZAMBALES Detained in Tomakomai

The vehicle carrier ZAMBALES was detained following a Port State Control inspection conducted under the Tokyo MOU at Tomakomai, Japan, on 04 Nov 2026. Inspectors recorded 19 deficiencies in total, of which three were assessed as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the vessel in port until the issues are rectified. ZAMBALES, registered under the Panama flag, has an IMO number of 9370563, a gross tonnage of 10,409 and a deadweight of 5,164 tonnes. The ship is classified as a vehicle carrier and is managed under the ISM Code by Toko Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. Port State Control inspections under regional memoranda such as the Tokyo MOU are designed to verify that ships meet international safety, pollution prevention and crew welfare standards. Detention is imposed when deficiencies are judged serious enough to pose a risk to the vessel, its crew, or the marine environment, and the ship is not permitted to sail until the deficiencies are addressed and the flag state or recognised organisation confirms compliance. No further details regarding the specific nature of the deficiencies or the expected duration of the detention have been disclosed. Further updates are expected once the vessel undergoes follow-up inspection and is cleared to resume operations.