The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) published the latest version of its Flag State Performance Table, in which it analyzes how the administrations performed, by providing an annual overview of the world’s ship registers against a number of criteria.
The Flag State Performance Table presents the performance of individual flag states worldwide, and analyses the administrations’ performance based on a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings. This year, a new criteria on participation in the ‘IMO Member State Audit Scheme’ has been included.
ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett, noted:
Following the entry into force of amendments to the relevant IMO Conventions, the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has become mandatory. This is a significant development that should make further contributions to improving maritime safety and the prevention of pollution.
ICS mentioned that there is nothing unusual in an international ship registry system in which the owner of a ship may be located in a country other than the state whose flag the ship flies. However, a balance has to be achieved between the commercial advantages of selecting a particular flag and the need to discourage the use of flags that do not meet their international obligations.
You can see the new Flag State Performance Table in the PDF herebelow
