The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has drawn attention to the strong results being achieved by the largest flag states in its latest Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table for 2015/2016, published this week.
“About two thirds of the world fleet is now registered with the eight largest ‘open registries’, all of which show impressive levels of performance,” commented Simon Bennett, ICS director of policy & external relations.
The table measures performance using criteria such as Port State Control records, the ratification of IMO and ILO Conventions, and participation at IMO meetings.
The results confirm ICS’ view that drawing distinctions between performance of open registers and so called traditional flag states is “no longer helpful,” Bennett added.
Now that IMO’s Member State audit scheme has become mandatory, ICS also welcomed steps being taken to make those audit reports available to the public via the IMO website, with view to improving all flag states’ performance.
While ship operators are responsible for compliance with safety and environmental rules, “flag states have primary responsibility for inspections and enforcement,” pointed out the ICS, making “objective scrutiny” of their performance “important.”
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