ICS alerts shipowners to steer clear of risky flag states based on performance metrics, emphasizing safety and seafarer welfare.
ICS Issues Flag State Warning: Avoidable Registries Announced
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest annual Flag State Performance Table, providing a clear overview for the maritime sector on which flag registries should be avoided.
This study offers an objective and data-driven assessment of flag state performance based on criteria such as Port State Control (PSC) statistics and the ratification status of International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
Among the flag states that have a potential negative indicator in at least one of the 19 criteria used by ICS are the ten largest flag states by tonnage and the five largest open registries. Together, these two groups are responsible for approximately 70% of the world’s commercial fleet.
Call from the ICS Secretary General
ICS Secretary General Thomas Kazakos stated the following regarding the table:
“ICS encourages shipowners and operators to use this table to examine whether a flag state has a truly solid foundation and to press flag administrations to make necessary improvements, especially concerning safety at sea, the protection of the marine environment, and the provision of humane working and living conditions for seafarers.”
Suspicious Registries and Flags of Convenience on the Agenda
Suspicious ship registrations and excessive flag-switching practices have recently gained more attention following Western countries' announcement of strict measures against “shadow fleets.”
Maritime news platform Splash reported earlier this month that the government of Palau decided to nationalize the Palau Open Registry following sanctions imposed on the private company operating the flag.
According to data from Israeli maritime analytics firm Windward, despite increasing pressures, approximately 300 tankers are still sailing under flags of convenience.
Western Nations Take Firm Steps
Western countries have recently begun taking firmer steps against shadow vessels. The United States has seized seven tankers linked to trade with Venezuela over the past seven weeks, while France seized a Russian aframax tanker sailing under a false flag in the Western Mediterranean last week.
Meanwhile, countries are also showing a more open stance in distancing themselves from organizations claiming to carry their flags. The government of Tonga condemned any foreign vessel claiming to carry its flag in a statement released earlier this month. The statement emphasized that Tonga's international ship registry was closed in 2002 and that the kingdom does not register foreign vessels engaged in international voyages.
You can access the latest annual Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) HERE.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
