🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Compliance history

• Tokyo MoU

  This page could not be found. Maybe try a search?

  ページが見つかりませんでした - Tokyo MOU
• ILO NORMLEX

  ILO is a United Nations Agency

  Ratifications of ILO conventions: Ratifications for

Country context

Population

69,487,000 (2025)

GDP per capita

$57,602 (2025)

Income group

High income

Region

Europe & Central Asia

Source: World Bank Open Data.

Notable historic incidents under this flag

• MSC Napoli (2007, English Channel)
  The UK-flagged 275m Post-Panamax container ship MSC Napoli developed serious hull cracking in Force-9 seas in the English Channel on 18 January 2007. The Master called for salvage;…
• Herald of Free Enterprise (1987, Zeebrugge) · 193 killed
  The Townsend Thoresen ro-ro ferry Herald of Free Enterprise left Zeebrugge for Dover on 6 March 1987 with her bow visor doors still open. The assistant bosun responsible for closin…

See also the full maritime-disasters archive.

Reference

• III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
• Port state control — how United Kingdom-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
• Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for United Kingdom's manning documents.
• Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.

Verification & complaint routes

• STCW CoC verification: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency

Ships flying United Kingdom

• Sovereign · IMO 9859777 · Heavy-lift
• Hoegh Target · IMO 9286093 · Ro-ro / PCTC
• RMS Titanic · IMO 9074729 · Historic / ocean liner
• Queen Mary (1936) · IMO 5383304 · Historic / ocean liner
• Maersk Eindhoven · IMO 9232491 · Container
• P&O Spirit of Britain · IMO 9412887 · Ropax
• Stena Britannica · IMO 9277161 · Ropax
• Stena Superfast X · IMO 9453400 · Ropax
• Minna · IMO 9266712 · ship
• Indian Empress · IMO 1006245 · motor yacht
• 11-11 · IMO 1012232 · motor yacht
• Titania · IMO 1008695 · motor yacht
• Auspicious · IMO 1009869 · yacht
• SS Shieldhall · IMO 5322752 · preserved watercraft
• Ross Tiger · IMO 5300699 · museum ship

Companies headquartered in United Kingdom

• Shell Shipping and Maritime · operator
• BP Shipping Ltd. · operator
• P&O Ferries · operator
• Subsea 7 S.A. · operator
• Zodiac Maritime Ltd. · both
• Bibby Ship Management Ltd. · both
• Yodel · operator
• Amazon Locker · operator
• James Irlam · operator
• Bulkhaul Limited · operator

Ports in United Kingdom

• Abbotsbury
• Abbotsley
• Aber Sôch (Abersoch)
• Aberaeron
• Abercastle
• Aberdaron
• Aberdeen
• Aberdour
• Aberdovey
• Aberdyfi (Aberdovey)

All ports in United Kingdom →

United Kingdom flag: FAQ

Is the United Kingdom flag safe for seafarers?

The United Kingdom flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, which gives seafarers the international right to inspection and complaint. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.

Has United Kingdom ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?

Yes — United Kingdom has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2013). Seafarers serving on United Kingdom-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 United Kingdom-flagged vessel or operator?

Complaints can be lodged with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) 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 United Kingdom have?

Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: white. 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 United Kingdom on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?

No — United Kingdom is not currently on the ITF Flag of Convenience list. Seafarers retain general ITF-channel access for advocacy and abandonment response regardless of FoC status.