(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has outlined its official position regarding the new Recognised Organization (RO) performance assessment methodology set to be implemented under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU). While IACS supports initiatives aimed at enhancing regulatory transparency, the organization warns that the upcoming framework establishes a disconnect between published performance metrics and the actual scope of RO responsibilities, creating operational risks across the global maritime sector. Key Changes Under the New Paris MoU Methodology (Effective July 2027) A new methodology for assessing the performance of Recognised Organizations will officially enter into force on 6 July 2027 under the Paris MoU. This update represents a fundamental shift in Port State Control (PSC) evaluation: Certificate-Linked Assessment: Under the new methodology, the link to the RO is no longer determined by whether the RO caused, contributed to, or could reasonably have prevented a deficiency. Instead, it is based solely on the statutory certificate to which the detainable deficiency is connected. Three-Year Evaluation Window: RO performance will be evaluated over a rolling three-year period based on total inspections and detentions—adopting the same calculation approach currently applied to Flag State Administrations . Primary Concerns Raised by IACS IACS fully supports the broader objective of improving transparency and consistency in PSC performance assessments. However, the organization is concerned that the new methodology does not adequately reflect the actual level of RO involvement. This disconnect risks generating widespread misunderstandings regarding RO roles and exposes vessel operators to misperceptions driven by published PSC data—directly affecting the Ship Risk Profile used by authorities to target ships for inspection. Potential Risks for Maritime Stakeholders The