Performance

The Faroese Maritime Authority has released a statement in response to the ITF's classification of the registry as a "flag of convenience" in November. The statement further affirms the ISRR's viewpoint that common assumptions about the relationship between type of registry and performance are often misconceived. The release explains well the complex nature of the industry poorly captured by the idea of "flags of convenience."

Today begins the International Trade Federation's second week of inspections of vessels that call on ports in Mumbai, Kandla, New Mangalore, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Haldia.

The United Kingdom's decision to reduce funding for its Maritime Investigation and Accident Bureau - specifically, a reduction in MAIB staff, has left many in the industry concerned about this decision's potential impact.

A Lloyd's List columnist writes:

The Panama Registry has asserted its commitment to all investigations in spite of accusations otherwise from Nautilus International.

Nautilus accused the flag state of not issuing a report based on the loss of livestock carrier Danny F II in December 2009 off the coast of Lebanon.

The European Union remains undecided regarding the validity of Filipino seafarer certification, a decision which “will have huge implications for the labour supply of European Union-flagged vessels.”

In his address to delegates at the 14th Russian Register Seminar on Quality Shipping in St. Petersburg earlier this month, International Chamber of Shipping Director of External Relations Simon Bennett explained how shipowners and flag states have the ability to work together to ensure quality performance and commercial success.

The Paris MOU has introduced a new port state control inspection regime from the 1st of January 2011. This New Inspection Regime (NIR) was developed by the Paris MOU following consultation with the industry on a mechanism to focus Port State Control inspections and to reward quality shipping.

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 performance.