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Seafarer Index
Qatar flag

🇶🇦 Qatar

ISO QAT / QA

Regulatory

MLC 2006
ratified (2013-03-21)
Paris MoU rating
not-listed
Tokyo MoU rating
not-listed
USCG Qualship 21
not listed
ITF FoC
not listed

Registry

Vessel count
100
Deadweight
6
Administration
Ministry of Transport and Communications, Qatar
File a complaint
Official form

Major LNG fleet operated by Nakilat

Compliance history

Country context

Population
2,972,215 (2025)
GDP per capita
$72,525 (2025)
Income group
High income
Region
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

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: not-listed or unknown rating. Read about PSC regimes →
  • 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 Qatar-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
  • Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Qatar's manning documents.
  • Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.

Ships flying Qatar

Companies headquartered in Qatar

Ports in Qatar

All ports in Qatar →

Qatar flag: FAQ

Is the Qatar flag safe for seafarers?
The Qatar flag has weaker port-state-control ratings under one or both MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, so seafarers retain convention-based rights. Operators on weaker-rated flags are not always poor employers, but they face less external regulatory pressure.
Has Qatar ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?
Yes — Qatar has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2013). Seafarers serving on Qatar-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 Qatar-flagged vessel or operator?
Complaints can be lodged with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Qatar 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 Qatar have?
Paris MoU rating: not-listed. 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 Qatar on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?
No — Qatar 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.

Compare Qatar with another flag

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High confidence

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

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