Study on Flag State Responsibilities and ‘Open Registers’ for Vessels Registration

The European Commission has launched a new call for tender for a study on flag State responsibilities and “open registers” for vessels registration. The call has a budget of EUR 400,000 and is funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

The main objective of the study is to provide the contracting authority and the European Commission (in particular the DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) with an up-to-date analysis of the economic dynamics and the effects of the use of so-called ‘open registers’ for sea-going vessels (often referred to as ‘flags of convenience’).

The Joint Communication of the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on international ocean governance published in June 2022 specifically identified the fulfilment of flag States responsibilities by those acting as open registers as one of the priorities for the EU International Ocean Governance agenda.

It announced the European Commission intention to launch a ‘study exposing the models of operators using open registers and the various actors involved in the functioning of these registers, as well as proposing solutions to address problems identified’.

e-Tendering page

Contract notice