USCG Blocks Norwegian Flagged Vessel
The US Coast Guard has prohibited the Norwegian-flagged and owned Wilmina from entering its ports as a result of what it has determined is a failure to meet IMO MARPOL regulations on pollution...
EU Urges Ireland to Reform Port State Regulations
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="250" caption="Dublin Port (Courtesy of Fairplay)"][/caption]
The European Commission has requested that Ireland improve its port state inspection measures,...
Panama Promoted to MoU Grey List
Panama has been promoted to the Paris MoU grey list of flag states after two years on the black list.
Panama is the largest flag state in terms of fleet size and gross tonnage and is considered a...
Review Update: Implications of UN’s Sanctions on Iran for Open Registries

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="190" caption="The Iranian-flagged Mufateh, top, renamed the Amplify and reflagged in Hong Kong, bottom. Top photo: Chris Perkins (IHS Fairplay). Bottom photo...
Oil Spill Spurs Debate over Flag Responsibility
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="440" caption="The Deepwater Horizon, prior to the disaster. Image courtesy of www.tradewinds.no"][/caption]
The two months since the Deepwater Horizon oil...
Marshall Islands Registry Speaks Up on Global Issues
The ISRR staff recently spoke with Laura Sherman, deputy director of maritime affairs for the Marshall Islands Registry, regarding UN Sanctions on Iran and the Deepwater Horizon, flagged in their...
Paris MOU: 2009 Report
The Paris MOU on Port State Control's 2009 Annual Report, released last month, provides the maritime community with updated white, grey, and black lists, classifying flag states according to...
Clay Maitland of Marshall Islands Registry Discusses Deepwater Horizon Response
The Deepwater Horizon accident has fostered international dialogue regarding maritime policy, particularly related to flag regulations, as the ISRR has reported. The ISRR spoke with Clay Maitland,...
UK-Based Moore Stephens Recommends Owners Support New Window for Election into Tonnage Tax
Shipping industry advising firm Moore Stephens has recommended shipowners collectively request that the United Kingdom grant a new window of opportunity to elect into the tonnage tax system. The firm...
Germany Reduces Subsidies for Owners Registered with National Flag
In a time in which German shipowners are already displaying a preference toward flagging out, the German government is reducing subsidies for owners who register their ships nationally.
Currently,...