IOM Ship Registry Receives International Acclaim

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

29 June 2010

The Isle of Man’s ship registry announced on June 25 that it has received three important international certifications.

The registry announced that it had completed its International Maritime Organization (IMO) voluntary member state audit with a positive report; was placed on the Paris MOU White List for Port State Control in Europe; and has secured entry into the United States Coast Guard Qualship 21 Scheme.

"Together they represent three very important measures which will be easily recognized by the international shipping community as a measure of the Isle of Man’s quality and commitment to its international maritime obligations," the Registry said, announcing the certifications.

The Isle of Man’s IMO audit was conducted during a week long process which looked in depth at the jurisdiction's obligations in respect of its port state, coastal state, and flag state activities. A team of auditors appointed by the IMO were on the Isle of Man from June 12-21. It was the first time such an audit has been carried out to assess the Island’s capabilities.

The audit is voluntary at present but it is widely accepted that it will become mandatory very soon and provide the IMO with an established framework to approve states to operate an international ship register. This audit therefore gives the Isle of Man the ‘green light’ to continue with its highly successful ship register. The report indicates areas for improvement but also contains positive statements about some of the best practices in the Isle of Man and the quality of the fleet.

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Port State Control has released its statistics for the inspection of ships visiting European Ports. The Isle of Man has once again maintained its position in the top third of the White List, which recognizes the quality of the fleet registered in the Isle of Man. Only by association with high quality shipping companies operating ships with a positive culture of safety and pollution prevention can this position be upheld.

The Isle of Man has also been admitted into the United States Coast Guard’s Qualship 21 Scheme, which recognizes quality shipping by analyzing the safety performance of ships visiting US ports. The Isle of Man is included in the Qualship 21 list along with only 15 other countries, out of the possible 130 states operating international registers.

Dick Welsh, Director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry said:

“When all three validations are taken together, they become a very definite endorsement by the international community that the Isle of Man is hitting all of its targets in terms of operating a quality flag with a well resourced and professional maritime administration to back it up. I have to thank our clients, the ship operators, for operating and maintaining their vessels to our very high standards.”

“I am delighted for the team at the Ship Registry who work hard to make sure the Isle of Man’s quality reputation is upheld. The IMO audit team reported that the Ship Registry works as a ‘family’ and I believe this is one of our greatest strengths.”

Alex Downie, the Department of Economic Development’s political member with responsibility for shipping, added: “This is great news for the Isle of Man. It is an endorsement from the International community for our Ship Register. The Isle of Man seeks only high quality business and our reputation has been upheld by these important accolades. I would like to congratulate the team at the Ship Registry for passing the audit and for maintaining their high standards.”

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