- Latest edition of the ICS Table shows the world’s largest flag State administrations continuing to demonstrate high levels of performance with respect to enforcement of global shipping regulations.
- ICS updates and enlarges Table to include data about smaller but expanding flag States associated with ships reportedly seeking to bypass sanctions.
- Eswatini and other new flag States present a distinct concern for maritime industry.
The 2024/2025 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance, published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), indicates that flag administrations continue to demonstrate high levels of performance with respect to enforcement of global shipping regulations.
Flag State Performance Table 2024/2025
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.
A number of Flag States have shown positive indicators for all of the criteria used in the Table. These include:
- 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.
Furthermore, 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.
Guy Platten, Secretary General, ICS pointed out that 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.
“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,” said Guy Platten.
To download the Flag State Performance Table, please click here.
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Source: ICS
