

(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.
The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) is proud to announce that it has officially been granted... Read more
ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO have released a joint industry statement... Read more
NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Limited, a joint venture between Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine... Read more
The Swedish Club has announced the appointment of Julia Ju as the new Chief Executive and Area Manager... Read more
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has condemned the recent armed attack... Read more
NORDEN has announced that they have sold two additional vessels, one Supramax bulk carrier and one MR... Read more
Columbia Group CEO, Mark O’Neil, has paid tribute to Turkey’s ‘resilient and innovative... Read more
Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has signed... Read more
The IMO has formally agreed to start the revision of outdated regulations for nuclear-powered ships.... Read more
In advance of the IMO Day of the Seafarer’s focus on ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’, Sailors... Read more