The paper discusses the importance of surveillance of vessels carrying hazardous materials, examining historical incidents involving the tankers Exxon Valdez and Torrey Canyon. These events had a significant impact on the maritime sector, leading to the establishment of international safety and environmental regulations, including the MARPOL Convention and various other global standards. The paper highlights the importance of port inspections in preserving maritime safety. It examines the necessity of inspecting foreign ships and compliance with international agreements, such as the Paris Memorandum, while also discussing flag state duties and the involvement of organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The section dealing with inspection implementation describes the methods for monitoring and ensuring that ships meet technical standards. Covering the detention of vessels with defects and highlighting international cooperation through the THETIS system. There is a special focus on the technical specifications for ships carrying chemicals and the provisions established by the International Code (IBC Code). A statistical analysis of ship quality examines inspection data from 2021 to 2024, focusing on safety issues, frequency of technical defects and trends related to ship detention. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving safety standards and maintenance of vessels used to transport materials, emphasizing the importance of ongoing investment in safety measures to mitigate risks.