🇺🇸 United States

Compliance history

• Tokyo MoU

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  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

341,784,857 (2025)

GDP per capita

$90,027 (2025)

Income group

High income

Region

North America

Source: World Bank Open Data.

Notable historic incidents under this flag

• El Faro (2015, Bahamas) · 33 killed
  The 40-year-old US-flagged con-ro El Faro sailed from Jacksonville for San Juan on 29 September 2015 as Hurricane Joaquin intensified in the Bahamas. Captain Michael Davidson chose…
• Exxon Valdez (1989, Bligh Reef)
  The US-flagged Aframax tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound at 00:04 on 24 March 1989. The bridge was under the sole watch of Third Mate Gregory Cousins — …

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 States-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
• Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for United States's manning documents.
• Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.
• QUALSHIP 21 — USCG-recognised high-quality flag list.

Verification & complaint routes

• STCW CoC verification: https://homeport.uscg.mil

Ships flying United States

• Prelude FLNG · IMO 9708064 · Floating LNG
• USS Constitution · IMO 8121329 · Historic / heritage
• SS United States · IMO 9232150 · Historic / ocean liner
• Q7671804 · IMO 8835217 · training vessel
• USCGC Joshua Appleby · IMO 9177246 · watercraft

Companies headquartered in United States

• Matson Navigation Company · operator
• Chevron Shipping Company LLC · operator
• Carnival Corporation & plc · operator
• Royal Caribbean Group · operator
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings · operator
• V.Ships Americas Inc. · both
• United Parcel Service · operator
• FedEx · operator
• C. H. Robinson Worldwide · operator
• Expeditors International · operator

Ports in United States

• Abbottstown
• Aberdeen
• Aberdeen
• Accord
• Adamston
• Addison
• Adrian
• Afognak
• Afton
• Alabama Pt.

All ports in United States →

United States flag: FAQ

Is the United States flag safe for seafarers?

The United States flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. Note that this flag has not yet ratified MLC 2006, which limits seafarers' direct complaint route under the convention. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.

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

No — United States has not ratified MLC 2006 as of the last update of this directory. Seafarers on United States-flagged vessels still benefit from MLC indirectly when calling at MLC-ratified ports (port state may inspect the vessel) but cannot lodge a direct convention-based complaint against the flag administration.

How do I file a complaint against a United States-flagged vessel or operator?

Complaints can be lodged with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) - National Vessel Documentation Center via their official complaint procedure. Without MLC ratification, the principal route is direct to the flag administration. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations may still be able to help with operator-level disputes. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.

What port-state-control rating does United States 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 States on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?

No — United States 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.