New report of Paris MOU for 2022

A new report of Paris MOU for 2022 was published on June 14, 2023. On July 1, 2023, it entered into force. It covers rating of state flags, in accordance with vessel inspections/detentions by port authorities due to violation of navigation safety rules. Position of a certain country reflects its own reputation and prestige, since shipping authorities should monitor their fleet compliance with international navigation safety rules. This report consists of three flag categories: White List, Grey List and Black List. The White List category includes flags with minimum ship arrests and detentions, the Black List category covers countries with maximum detentions, while the Grey List category, respectively, covers flag states in the middle. 

This year, Denmark, Italy and Greece rank top in White List: Denmark keeps a solid position of minimum detention. We see that Italy is now the runner-up (a large step forward as compared to 10th position), while Greece ranks third (growth from the 6th position), hereby showing serious control over compliance with navigation safety rules. Following Brexit, the UK just strengthened its positions as favorable flag for registration – its position increased from the 19th to the 10th line. Malta dropped three positions in view of small increase of detentions. Both Cayman Islands and Marshall Islands are strictly in the middle of White List. 

Croatia is in the top of Grey List; probably it will move to White List next year, while Panama has shifted to Grey List, ranking behind flags with fewer detentions. Unfortunately, Ukraine is still in Grey List. We believe that soon Ukraine will start competing for joining White List. 

Last but not the least: flags with the most vessel detentions. This year Tanzania ranks first in Black List, followed by Albania, Algeria and Moldova. All these countries show a low level of control over compliance with safety rules, having worsened their flag’s reputation at the international level. 

We hope that next year the leaders’ positions will remain unchanged while the countries in the bottom will get focused on navigation safety rules in order to move upwards.