The following is text of a news release from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS):
(LONDON) — The International Chamber of Shipping has published the latest version of its Flag State Performance Table, which can be downloaded free of charge via the ICS website: http://www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources/flag-state-performance-table
The table provides a helpful indication of the performance of individual flag states worldwide, analyzing how the administrations included deliver against a number of criteria such as port state control records, ratification of international maritime conventions and attendance at International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings. This year, a new criteria on participation in the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has been included.
ICS Deputy Secretary-General Simon Bennett said, “Following the entry into force of amendments to the relevant IMO Conventions, the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has become mandatory. This is a significant development that should make further contributions to improving maritime safety and the prevention of pollution.”
He added, “ICS also recently released a new interactive version of the table, which contains a search facility and allows users to compare and contrast the performance of up to four flag states at a time."
The 2017/2018 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table is currently being distributed among ICS national shipowners’ associations and their member companies, which cover over 80 percent of the world merchant fleet.
