ICS launches new flag state table
(Posted on 25/01/21)
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest Flag State Performance Table (2020/2021) which finds that many of the largest flag states – including the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong (China), Singapore as well as the Bahamas and Cyprus– continue to perform to an exceptionally high standard, with traditional flags and open registers performing equally well.
ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, says: “The Table clearly indicates that distinctions between ‘traditional’ flags and open registers are no longer meaningful. Alongside several European registers, and flags such as Japan, we have seen many open registers amongst the very top performers”.
Amongst the 10 largest ship registers (by dead weight tonnage), covering more than 70% of the world fleet, none have more than two indicators of potentially negative performance, and five have no negative indicators at all.
Mr Platten concluded: “There is still a number of smaller flag states that have a lot of work to do to considerably enhance their performance, and shipowners should consider very carefully the prospect of using these flags, which may be perceived to be sub-standard.”
The ICS Flag State Performance Table provides an invaluable indicator of the performance of individual flag states worldwide. It analyses how the countries included deliver against a number of criteria such as Port State Control (PSC) records, ratification of international maritime Conventions and attendance at IMO meetings.
Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, the previous period’s Flag State Performance Table (2019/2020) was not published. In order to maintain a complete and accurate record of Port State Control performance of flag States in 2019, ICS has published the relevant PSC data on the last page of the report, corresponding to information released in 2019 by the Paris MOU, the Tokyo MOU and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in their respective annual PSC reports.
The Flag State Performance Table can be accessed free of charge from the new ICS website.
Latest News
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
DNV: Nuclear propulsion is viable solution for maritime decarbonisation
(Posted on 27/10/25)According to a new paper by DNV, shifting environmental requirements are reigniting interest in nuclear... Read more
MoU on cooperation Between Zhejiang Seaport and Columbia
(Posted on 24/10/25)Zhejiang Seaport Group and Columbia Group Limited have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of... Read more
INTERCARGO statement on Extraordinary Meeting of MEPC
(Posted on 20/10/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has released a statement on the Extraordinary... Read more
Investigation into impact of technology on seafarers
(Posted on 20/10/25)The future of shipping is already here. From autonomous systems to artificial intelligence, maritime... Read more
ESL Shipping’s science-based net-zero targets validated by SBTi
(Posted on 17/10/25)The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved ESL Shipping’s near and long-term... Read more
