Flag state guidelines will add scrutiny but will not fix failing registers
- Fraudulent flag fleet has grown to over 500 ships and the speed of flag-hopping is accelerating
- De-registered ships are heading into a mix of fraudulent registers, real registers with lax standards and sanctions are prompting Russia to take in more each month
- New guidelines call for documented procedures and quality management systems to cover all stages of ship registration
The IMO is considering how to stem the misuse of flags and deter fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries of ships, but the guidelines about to be considered will not be legally enforceable and are expected to run into sanctions-related resistance
