The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee has approved new guidelines aimed at strengthening transparency and due diligence in ship registration.
The move addresses a long-standing regulatory gap, as no binding international framework currently governs the registration of ships.
The guidelines are intended to support both new and existing flag State registries by introducing practical measures to improve verification processes, strengthen ownership checks, and enhance oversight of registration procedures.
Closing the 113th session of the Legal Committee in London (13–17 April), Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, described the development as a “welcome step” in reinforcing due diligence across ship registration systems.
“This is a welcome step towards ensuring due diligence in ship registration systems for the benefit of safety, protection of the marine environment and the well-being of seafarers, essential for the safety and security of international shipping. The Guidelines will also aid in eliminating cases of fraudulent registration,” he said.
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The Committee highlighted a continued rise in the misuse of flags, with 529 ships reportedly flying false flags over the past year.
Nearly 40 Member States have also reported instances of their flags being used fraudulently by criminal groups without consent.
The new guidelines focus on governance of ship registration systems, quality assurance procedures, ownership verification, ship identity checks, and improved information sharing between authorities.
Alongside the guidelines, the Committee reaffirmed concerns over ongoing maritime security risks and regulatory enforcement gaps affecting global shipping operations.
It also reported a sharp increase in seafarer abandonment cases, with more than 6,000 seafarers affected in 2025 and a further 103 cases already recorded in early 2026.
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The Committee urged Member States to ratify and implement the Maritime Labour Convention and strengthen cooperation on enforcement, while calling for improved procedures to ensure faster response and verification in abandonment cases.
On alternative fuels, the Committee acknowledged a regulatory gap in existing liability and compensation frameworks, noting that current regimes do not adequately address risks associated with emerging marine fuels.
It agreed on the need to develop new or amended international rules to ensure legal clarity and protection for affected parties.
For more information:
International Maritime Organization – https://www.imo.org/en
