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Seafarer Index
Curacao flag

🇨🇼 Curacao

ISO CUW / CW

Regulatory

MLC 2006
ratified (2013-08-07)
Paris MoU rating
white
Tokyo MoU rating
not-listed
USCG Qualship 21
not listed
ITF FoC
listed as Flag of Convenience

Registry

Vessel count
400
Deadweight
3
Administration
Curacao Maritime Authority
File a complaint
Official form

Dutch Caribbean constituent country; open registry

Compliance history

Country context

Population
156,263 (2025)
GDP per capita
$22,833 (2024)
Income group
High income
Region
Latin America & Caribbean

Source: World Bank Open Data.

What this means for seafarers

  • MLC 2006: This flag has ratified MLC 2006. Vessels must hold a valid Maritime Labour Certificate + DMLC Part II posted onboard. You can file an MLC complaint via the flag administration.
  • Port-state-control profile: high-performing flag — fewer detentions on average. Read about PSC regimes →
  • ITF Flag of Convenience: This flag is on the ITF FoC list. ITF Total Crew Cost (TCC) scale applies as the wage floor. Contact an ITF inspector at the next port if your contract is below TCC. Unpaid-wages route →
  • STCW: Party to STCW. Verify a CoC issued under this flag at the administration.

See also: flag risk explained · MLC ratification list · white/grey/black lists.

Reference

  • III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
  • Port state control — how Curacao-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
  • Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Curacao's manning documents.
  • Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.
No vessels indexed under Curacao yet. Try MarineTraffic vessels under CUW.

Ports in Curacao

All ports in Curacao →

Curacao flag: FAQ

Is the Curacao flag safe for seafarers?
The Curacao flag has a mixed PSC record — some inspection regimes class it favourably, others less so. It has ratified MLC 2006, which is the principal worker-protection convention. Operator and class are usually a stronger signal than flag alone.
Has Curacao ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?
Yes — Curacao has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2013). Seafarers serving on Curacao-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.
How do I file a complaint against a Curacao-flagged vessel or operator?
Complaints can be lodged with the Curacao Maritime Authority via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.
What port-state-control rating does Curacao have?
Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: not-listed. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.
Is Curacao on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?
Yes — Curacao is listed by the International Transport Workers' Federation as a Flag of Convenience. ITF FoC listing reflects the union's view that the flag has minimal genuine link to the beneficial owner of vessels registered. Seafarers on FoC vessels are eligible for ITF inspector intervention in any major port and for the ITF's globally-negotiated minimum wage benchmark when on an ITF-affiliated agreement.

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High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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