IACS Press Release Details Performance of Flag States

Published Oct 5, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

In a 27 September Press Release, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has announced its latest ratings of various Flag states and detailed action on poorly performing Flag states. The initiative, introduced more than two years ago, is designed to help improve the performance of Flag States on the so-called Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) “blacklist”. IACS employs small groups of experts from the member societies to work with the Flag States on enhanced survey programs for vessels entering into the register, as well as addressing remedial work following Port State Control detentions.

IACS now says the scheme has been extended to cover additional flag states which authorize IACS member societies and have found themselves on the Paris or Tokyo MOU black lists and those with high targeting points on the USCG’s PSC program.

The press release also stated that “Port State detention statistics are an important quality indicator and by focusing on the problems that cause detentions the IACS initiative has raised safety levels by encouraging both owners and Flag States to focus on the key issues.”

The latest IACS statistics catalogue which Flag states have responded positively to the IACS proposals have also made the biggest improvements in performance. IACS pointed to the Cyprus Flag as a particularly good example. Cyprus has continually improved and is now on the white list for both the Paris and Tokyo MOU’s. IACS reported that Malta had moved to the white list of the Paris MOU.

The IACS announcement also detailed four flag states which had been contacted, but where no progress had been made. These flags were identified as Algeria, Honduras, Libya and Syria. Eleven Flag states were identified as “having responded positively to the IACS proposal." These flags were identified as Azerbajan, Belize, Cambodia, Cyprus, Georgia, Malta, Romania, Russia, St.Vincent and The Grenadines, Tonga and Bulgaria. There are also around ten additional Flag States to which IACS is considering extending the scheme.

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world's cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the ten Member Societies and one Associate of IACS.