News Items

Malta has ascended to the position of largest ship registry in Europe as confirmed Friday, January 20th by Clarkson Research Services.

In a tragedy being compared to the sinking of the Titanic, the Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Tuscany late Friday, January 13th, resulting in at least six casualties, approximately 30 injured including at least two in grave condition, and as many as 36 individuals still missing. The cause of the accident has yet to be determined.

As part of a joint venture with Rickmers Maritime, Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) has reflagged the first of two major heavy-lift vessels from the Marshall Islands to the U.S.

The International Chamber of Shipping has released its 2011 edition of its Flag State Performance Table.

In a story that intertwines the issues of piracy and U.S.-Iran relations particularly relevant to the maritime industry, the U.S. aircraft carrier John C. Stennis rescued 13 Iranian crew members being held captive by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Oman.

The law firm Seward and Kissel has issued a press release this week in relation to the U.S.’ 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which contains information regarding sanctions against Iran.

The United Kingdom's 37th edition of Transport Statistics, released today, shows growth for the UK and Red Ensign Group registries over the past decade.

Turkey is implementing a commercial code effective July 1 2012 which it hopes will draw foreign banks to invest in the Turkish fleet.

The ITF has indicated the Faroe Islands, a second register with national and international components, as the latest addition to their list of "flags of convenience."

Liberia has been re-elected to the IMO Council for the 2012-2013 year, an organization it belonged to most recently in 1997. Our contacts at the Liberian registry shared their news with us in the following press release.

PRESS RELEASE

PR11/11 November 30, 2011