Georgia’s naval flag ranking improves

Georgia has improved its position in the marine environment and the country’s naval flag has been named on the ‘Grey List’ for the first time.

Until now, Georgia’s naval flag was ranked on a ‘Black List’, meaning it was gained poor results in past inspections and had very high risk.

At its 47th meeting last month, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Committee approved the 2013 inspection results and adopted new performance lists for flags and recognized organizations.

The latest results saw Georgia improve its ranking and move up to a more secure ‘Grey List’ alongside 18 other countries. These lists will take effect from today.

Nineteen countries are recorded on this year’s ‘Grey List’, which is the same as the previous year. As well as Georgia, there are numerous newcomers to the list including Lebanon, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Libya and Albania.

Georgia’s Ministry of Economy said the country’s improved flag ranking was "good news” for the Georgian economy and those who sailed under the Georgian flag.

"Since 1998, this is the first time Georgia has been placed on the Grey List. This fact will significantly raise the reputation of Georgia’s naval flag around the world. Also, it will improve awareness of the country, credibility and attractiveness for ship owners to register their ships under the Georgian flag,” deputy of the Economy Minister Natia Mikeladze said.

Latest results from this year show 75 flags have been listed on the ‘White, Grey and Black List’ for 2013. Of these, 46 were recorded on the ‘White List’, 19 on the ‘Grey List’ and 10 on the ‘Black List’.

According to the Paris MoU, the ‘White, Grey and Black (WGB) List’ ranks naval flags in terms of quality performance, with white being of high quality and black being of low quality or poor performance, which are considered high risk.

The ranking is based on the total number of inspections and detentions over a three year rolling period for flags with at least 30 inspections in that time.