The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued its annual Flag State Performance Table for 2024/25, a key resource for shipping companies.
Using a wide range of objective performance indicators, the ICS Table provides an analysis of the extent to which flag State administrations adhere to their responsibilities to follow global standards and regulations governing safety, environmental protection and the employment conditions of seafarers – as adopted by the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The latest ICS Table confirms that the vast majority of the global shipping industry is registered with flag States that strictly enforce global regulations, as shown, for example, by the results of Port State Control inspections.
Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Liberia (the largest), Malta, Marshall Islands and Singapore – where more than 53% of the world fleet is registered (according to UN Trade and Development) – continue to show all-green performance indicators on the latest ICS table. Bahamas, China PRC and Panama, also in the top ten by tonnage, also demonstrate very good performance and a strict commitment to global maritime regulation.
Four Flag States have been included in the Table this year for the first time, reflecting the recent increase of shipping tonnage registered to smaller administrations. The new additions, Cambodia, Eswatini, Gabon and Guinea-Bissau are reportedly used by some shipping companies seeking to bypass US/EU/G7 sanctions, leading to concerns as to whether international maritime standards are being properly enforced on board ships flying the flags of these States.
“Eswatini’s emergence as a flag State presents a distinct concern as it is not a member of the UN IMO and is therefore not a signatory of its international maritime Conventions. ICS strongly encourages Eswatini and other new flag States to prioritise IMO membership and the ratification and implementation of IMO Conventions to demonstrate their commitment to global maritime governance and the responsible operation of those ships registered with their fleets.” commented ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten.
“For more than 50 years, shipping has been a global industry operating under global rules, and it is vital that flag States adhere to their obligations to enforce the highest global safety standards. I hope that this year’s Table helps shipping companies to carefully consider the performance of flag administrations when making decisions about the flags which they choose for their ships to fly.”
The Flag State Table and its criteria are not intended to be used for commercial purposes or assessments of the performance of individual ships that may elect to use a particular flag. It is only intended to encourage shipowners and operators to maintain an open dialogue with their flag administrations about potential improvements, which may be necessary for enhancement of safety and security of life at sea, protection of the marine environment and provision of decent working conditions for seafarers.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet – www.ics-shipping.org
DOWNLOAD THE “SHIPPING INDUSTRY FLAG STATE PERFORMANCE TABLE 2024/2025” HERE!
