The country in which a vessel is registered and whose flag it flies. The flag state is responsible for enforcing international maritime regulations on its registered vessels, including safety, pollution prevention, and crew welfare standards.
Category: Maritime Law & Regulations
On The Maritime
The desks where this concept is measured.
In the Glossary
Flag State
The country in which a ship is registered, whose laws she sails under and which is responsible for her regulatory oversight.
Read the full explanation in the GlossaryRelated terms
More in Maritime Law & Regulations
Admiralty LawThe body of private international law governing maritime activities and disputes, including navigation, shipping, salvage, pollution, and seafarers' rights.Arrest of ShipA legal procedure in admiralty law by which a claimant detains a vessel to obtain security for a maritime claim.BareconA standard bareboat charter party form published by BIMCO, widely used in the shipping industry for bareboat or demise charter agreements.General AverageA principle of maritime law under which all parties to a sea venture proportionally share any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency.IMOThe International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.ISM CodeThe International Safety Management Code, adopted by the IMO, which establishes an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026