SHIPUNIVERSE

Maritime Intelligence, Tools & Live Industry Radars

One place for live maritime intelligence, practical decision tools, industry events and focused reporting.

24/7Intelligence Focus

GlobalIndustry Coverage

Maritime Events Radar Maritime Calendar Global Maritime Intelligence Port Disruption Radar Maritime Tools

NEW · THE LIGHTER SIDE OF SHIPUNIVERSE The Ship Universe FUNZONE is open! Maritime Games · Funnies · Crossword · Pic Puzzles — Your next break starts here.

SHIPUNIVERSE REPORTING

Reports, news and industry coverage

Full analysis in the ShipUniverse intelligence layout.

← Back to latest posts ShipUniverse / REPORT

REPORT October 1, 2024

Top 100 Flag States

🔔 Subscribe to ShipUniverse Weekly →

Flag states play a critical role in global maritime shipping, representing the country under whose laws a vessel is registered and operated. The choice of a flag state can impact everything from regulatory compliance to tax structures and operational flexibility. In this guide, we present the top 100 flag states ordered by the estimated number of registered vessels, providing a snapshot of the global maritime landscape. Whether you’re a shipowner, fleet manager, or maritime enthusiast, understanding the significance of these flag states can help navigate the complexities of international shipping.

** Last edited 1/23/2025 / Please confirm current data and email edits or suggestions to editor @ shipuniverse.com **

1. Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇬

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, tankers, container ships

2. Bahamas 🇧🇸

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,600 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Cruise ships, bulk carriers, tankers

3. Barbados 🇧🇧

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, tankers

4. Belgium 🇧🇪

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Chemical tankers, container ships

5. Bermuda 🇧🇲

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 800 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Container ships, oil tankers

6. Bolivia 🇧🇴

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 600 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: Small general cargo, fishing vessels

7. Brazil 🇧🇷

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Offshore supply vessels, general cargo ships

8. Cambodia 🇰🇭

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 700 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

9. Canada 🇨🇦

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,100 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Icebreakers, bulk carriers

10. Cayman Islands 🇰🇾

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,500 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Yachts, oil tankers

11. China 🇨🇳

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 3,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, tankers

12. Comoros 🇰🇲

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 800 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

13. Croatia 🇭🇷

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Passenger ships, general cargo

14. Cyprus 🇨🇾

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,800 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers

15. Denmark 🇩🇰

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 700 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Container ships, offshore vessels

16. Dominica 🇩🇲

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, small bulk carriers

17. Ecuador 🇪🇨

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, small cargo ships

18. Egypt 🇪🇬

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 900 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

19. Faroe Islands 🇫🇴

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, cargo ships

20. France 🇫🇷

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,100 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, offshore vessels

21. Germany 🇩🇪

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 2,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Container ships, bulk carriers, tankers

22. Gibraltar 🇬🇮

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 800 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Yachts, bulk carriers, oil tankers

23. Greece 🇬🇷

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,900 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, oil tankers, container ships

24. Honduras 🇭🇳

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: Small cargo ships, fishing vessels

25. Hong Kong 🇭🇰

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 3,000 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers

26. India 🇮🇳

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,400 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, tankers, offshore vessels

27. Indonesia 🇮🇩

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,800 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers, tankers

28. Ireland 🇮🇪

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, general cargo

29. Isle of Man 🇮🇲

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,000 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Yachts, bulk carriers, oil tankers

30. Italy 🇮🇹

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,500 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Cruise ships, container ships, oil tankers

31. Jamaica 🇯🇲

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

32. Japan 🇯🇵

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 2,600 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, tankers

33. Kiribati 🇰🇮

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 600 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

34. Kuwait 🇰🇼

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Oil tankers, bulk carriers

35. Latvia 🇱🇻

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, fishing vessels

36. Liberia 🇱🇷

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 4,750 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, tankers, container ships

37. Lithuania 🇱🇹

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, fishing vessels

38. Luxembourg 🇱🇺

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, oil tankers

39. Malta 🇲🇹

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 2,400 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers

40. Marshall Islands 🇲🇭

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 4,400 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, tankers, container ships

41. Mauritius 🇲🇺

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, general cargo

42. Moldova 🇲🇩

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 600 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, small tankers

43. Mongolia 🇲🇳

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

44. Montenegro 🇲🇪

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, fishing vessels

45. Netherlands 🇳🇱

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, offshore vessels, bulk carriers

46. New Zealand 🇳🇿

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, offshore vessels

47. Nicaragua 🇳🇮

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 200 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: Small general cargo, fishing vessels

48. Nigeria 🇳🇬

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,100 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Offshore supply vessels, general cargo

49. Norway 🇳🇴

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,900 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Offshore supply vessels, tankers, bulk carriers

50. Palau 🇵🇼

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 700 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

51. Panama 🇵🇦

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 8,600 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, tankers, container ships

52. Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, general cargo

53. Philippines 🇵🇭

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,000 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, offshore vessels

54. Portugal 🇵🇹

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 1,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Bulk carriers, container ships

55. Qatar 🇶🇦

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 300 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: LNG carriers, oil tankers

56. Romania 🇷🇴

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 400 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, bulk carriers

57. Russia 🇷🇺

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 3,200 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Icebreakers, bulk carriers, tankers

58. Samoa 🇼🇸

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 200 (estimate)
Flag Type: Flag of Convenience
White/Gray/Black List Status: Black List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL
Common Vessel Types Registered: General cargo, small bulk carriers

59. Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 500 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: White List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Oil tankers, bulk carriers

60. Seychelles 🇸🇨

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 100 (estimate)
Flag Type: National
White/Gray/Black List Status: Gray List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC
Common Vessel Types Registered: Fishing vessels, small general cargo

61. Sierra Leone 🇸🇱

Number of Registered Vessels (Estimate): 800 (estimate)
Flag Type: Open Registry
White/Gray/Black List Status: Grey List
International Compliance: Signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL,MLC,STCW
Common Vessel Types Registered: General Cargo, Bulk Carriers, Containers ships, Oil Tankers, Yachts.