Safety in maritime transport: Is flag state important in an international sector?

This study employs four methods to investigate the importance of flag state for safety in maritime transport. We conclude that flag state only is one of several risk factors affecting maritime safety outcomes. Results indicate, however, that ships flying under newer flags of convenience (FOC) do have a higher risk. We compare six risk. Results indicate that communication could be a risk factor on foreign flagged vessels. These vessels generally have multinational crews, and our results indicate that these are more likely to experience unsafe situations because of language misunderstandings. Differences in national safety culture could also complicate communication. However, we have also indications that FOC vessels may perform better than nationally flagged vessels on other factors influencing safety.