ICS releases 2025–2026 Flag State Performance Table

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its 2025–2026 Flag State Performance Table, confirming strong compliance with global safety, environmental, and labour standards across most of the world’s merchant fleet.

The table provides shipowners with a data-driven tool to assess how flag States perform. It is based on 19 objective criteria, including Port State Control records and the ratification of key International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

ICS reports that the majority of the global fleet remains registered under flag States that demonstrate consistently high standards. Open registries also continue to perform strongly, with many achieving positive results across all indicators.

Flag States with no more than one negative indicator include the world’s ten largest registries by tonnage: China, Greece, Hong Kong (China), Japan, and Singapore, alongside the five largest open registers—Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Malta, and Panama. Together, these flags account for around 70% of the world’s commercial fleet.

ICS says the table is designed to support informed decision-making by shipowners and to discourage the use of registries that fail to meet international obligations. It also aims to promote dialogue between shipowners and flag administrations to drive continuous improvement.

Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of ICS, said the table helps shipowners assess whether a flag State has real substance and encourages pressure on administrations to improve where needed, particularly in areas such as safety, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare.

ICS added that ratification and implementation of key maritime treaties remain essential for a safe, efficient, and globally aligned shipping industry.