As a group of 14 European maritime nations issued a new warning to the maritime industry over the threat from the global shadow fleet the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has said the world’s flag states have been increasing their efforts to heighten standards.

The ICS has released its 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table an objective, assessment of performance based on criteria such as Port State Control statistics and ratification of International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions.

The latest table confirms continuing positive performance by the vast majority of flag States responsible for the safety and environmental performance of the world’s merchant fleet.

Those flag States with no more than one potential negative indicator (out of the 19 criteria used by ICS) include the ten largest flag States by tonnage: China, Greece, Hong Kong (China), Japan and Singapore plus the five largest open registers i.e. Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Malta and Panama. Together these flag States are responsible for about 70% of the world commercial fleet, although many other ship registries, including both national and open registries, also demonstrate very high levels of performance.

However, the publication of the table came as 14 European countries issued a joint statement to the world’s maritime  industry saying it is time to take a tougher line with the shadow fleet – a rising number of vessels which are carrying cargo and goods to and from states in breach of global sanctions.

The statement said “Modern maritime transport is fundamentally built on the reliability of satellite-based navigation. For over three decades, global shipping has advanced by developing vessel operations to increasingly depend on the position, timing, and navigation (PTN) data provided by satellite systems. This shift has brought great efficiency but has also created a new dependency.

“The accurate and uninterrupted functioning of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is not a technical luxury; it is a critical safety requirement. GNSS signals support not only ship navigation but also precise time synchronisation vital for systems such as the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Disruption of these signals is a risk to the safety and reliability of maritime transport.

“We are now facing new emerging safety situations due to growing GNSS interference in European waters, particularly in the Baltic Sea region. These disturbances, originating from the Russian Federation, degrade the safety of international shipping. All vessels are at risk.”

It added: “Equally vital is the integrity of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which plays a key role in traffic coordination, and enhances situational awareness and emergency response. Spoofing or falsifying AIS data undermines maritime safety and security, increases the risk of accidents, and severely hampers rescue operations.”

As such the countries have called upon the international maritime community and national authorities to:

1) Recognise GNSS interference and AIS manipulation as threats to maritime safety and security.

2) Ensure vessels have adequate capabilities and properly trained crew as required by international conventions to operate safely during navigation system outages.

3) Cooperate on the development of alternative terrestrial radionavigation systems which may be used in place of GNSS in the event of disruption, loss of signal or interference.

“Maintaining trust in maritime navigation requires more than technology – it demands responsibility, transparency, and decisive action,” it added. “We must ensure that our seas remain safe, including when systems fail or face disturbances.

“Furthermore, recognising the essential role of maritime transport in global trade and the economy, and emphasising the importance of safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable shipping, we stress that the full and consistent implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations is fundamental to ensuring maritime safety, the smooth functioning of shipping, and the protection of seafarers and the marine environment, especially in the new emerging situations affecting safety at sea, such as the increasing use of shadow fleet vessels to circumvent international sanctions.

“In order to uphold and strengthen maritime safety in the Baltic Sea and North Sea region, we require that all vessels exercising freedom of navigation strictly comply with applicable international law, whether customary international law or as contracting parties to international  conventions.”

Speaking at the launch of the table Thomas Kazakos, International Chamber of Shipping secretary general, said: “ICS encourages shipowners and operators to use the table to examine whether a flag State has substance and to put pressure on their flag administrations to make any improvements that might be necessary, especially in relation to safety of life at sea, the protection of the marine environment, and the provision of decent working and living conditions for seafarers.

“Ratification of the key maritime treaties and addressing any areas of potential underperformance demonstrates a clear commitment by governments to the international maritime regulatory framework on which the global shipping industry relies to operate efficiently in support of the global economy.”

The ICS explained a range of factors are considered by shipowners when deciding where to flag their ships. Therefore, it is vital that shipowners have access to clear information on flag State performance and are discouraged from selecting registries that may not fully meet their international responsibilities. The Flag State Performance Table is designed to meet this need and to support informed decision making.

“The Flag State Performance Table also aims to encourage constructive dialogue between shipowners and their flag administrations, helping to facilitate improvements in the interests of safety, environmental protection and decent working and living conditions for seafarers,” the organisation added.