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ICS Publishes 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table Highlighting Strong Compliance with Global Standards

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table, continuing an over 20-year practice of providing an objective, data driven assessment of performance based on criteria such as Port State Control statistics and ratification of International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions.

The latest Flag State Performance Table confirms continuing positive performance by the vast majority of flag States responsible for the safety and environmental performance of the world’s merchant fleet.

Those flag States with no more than one potential negative indicator (out of the 19 criteria used by ICS) include the ten largest flag States by tonnage: China, Greece, Hong Kong (China), Japan and Singapore plus the five largest open registers i.e. Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Malta and Panama. Together these flag States are responsible for about 70% of the world commercial fleet, although many other ship registries, including both national and open registries, also demonstrate very high levels of performance.

A range of factors are considered by shipowners when deciding where to flag their ships. Therefore, it is vital that shipowners have access to clear information on flag State performance and are discouraged from selecting registries that may not fully meet their international responsibilities. The Flag State Performance Table is designed to meet this need and to support informed decision making.

The Flag State Performance Table also aims to encourage constructive dialogue between shipowners and their flag administrations, helping to facilitate improvements in the interests of safety, environmental protection and decent working and living conditions for seafarers.

Thomas A. Kazakos, International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General, said:

“ICS encourages shipowners and operators to use the table to examine whether a flag State has substance and to put pressure on their flag administrations to make any improvements that might be necessary, especially in relation to safety of life at sea, the protection of the marine environment, and the provision of decent working and living conditions for seafarers.

Ratification of the key maritime treaties and addressing any areas of potential underperformance demonstrates a clear commitment by governments to the international maritime regulatory framework on which the global shipping industry relies to operate efficiently in support of the global economy.”

As part of an ongoing joint campaign with the Comité Maritime International (CMI), ICS also produces the resource Promoting Maritime Treaty Ratification, which highlights the importance of governments ratifying and implementing maritime conventions adopted by IMO and other United Nations bodies that support the efficient operation of the world’s maritime transportation system.