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

Enclosed space survey aims to understand why seafarers are still dying

Ship managers and maritime professionals have joined forces to address concerns over the continuing... Read more

Algoma takes delivery of three vessels in a week including final Equinox

Algoma Central Corporation has achieved a significant milestone, taking delivery of three new ships,... Read more

Asyad Shipping successfully lists on Muscat Stock Exchange

Asyad Shipping Company SAOG, one of the world’s largest diversified maritime providers and a global... Read more

Maritime framework in focus as Jamaica develops its maritime services

As Jamaica continues to develop its maritime sector, expanding its shipping services, growing its bunkering... Read more

Record-breaking year in safety for ESL Shipping

ESL Shipping, the leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, has achieved remarkable... Read more

DNV report to help shipowners select energy-efficiency measures

With increasing regulatory pressure and rising fuel costs, the shipping industry must accelerate decarbonization... Read more

Asyad announces final IPO price at the top of the range

Asyad Shipping Company SAOG (under transformation), one of the world’s largest diversified maritime... Read more

Sailor’s Society’s ‘chaplain of chaplains’ dies suddenly

The Sailor’s Society have released a statement regarding the death of their ‘chaplain of... Read more

Pacific Basin announces stable financial results in unusually flat freight market

Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has announced... Read more

Bridging the gap between industry, academics, and technology in maritime

The city of Dehradun is set to make history with AAROHAN - International Maritime Conference 2025, the... Read more