Cayman shipping registry retains top marks in most recent Flag State Performance Table

The Cayman Islands has once again demonstrated its status as one of the world's leading flags for vessel registration.

For the 15th consecutive year, the Cayman Islands Shipping Register (CISR) performed positively against all criteria in the Flag State Performance Table Report, published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

In the ICS report, which covers 2024 and 2025, 118 flag states were evaluated and the Cayman Islands was one of only 24 flags to perform positively against all criteria.

The report uses a wide range of objectives as performance indicators. It provides an analysis of the extent to which flag state administrations meet their responsibilities to follow global standards and regulations governing maritime safety, environmental protection and the employment conditions of seafarers.

This report underpins Cayman's status as one of the most popular jurisdictions for the flagging of yachts and superyachts in the world. As a Category 1 British Registry, the CISR can register vessels of all sizes and classes from small yachts to superyachts. There are currently more than 2,500 vessels registered with the CISR with a gross tonnage of approximately 4.5 million.

The Cayman Islands is part of the Red Ensign Group, meaning that a Cayman Islands-registered vessel is flagged as a British Ship and granted protection by the British Royal Navy. The CISR offers a global jurisdiction of choice and convenience for vessel registration, with various offices conveniently placed in locations across the world, including Europe, Asia and the Americas.

How Ogier can help

Ogier's Marine sector experts can guide you through the process of registering a vessel in the Cayman Islands, including the incorporation and ongoing corporate governance of a vessel-owning company, the appointment of Cayman-resident agents or acting in the role of local agent ourselves. For further information, contact the authors of this briefing.

Partner Mark Santangeli and managing associate Hannah Diss will also be joining colleagues from across our jurisdictions to represent Ogier at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show from 27 to 29 September, where we are sponsoring the Super Yacht Lounge at Caffé Milano. They are happy to discuss how we can guide you through registering your vessel in the Cayman Islands.

About Ogier

Ogier is a professional services firm with the knowledge and expertise to handle the most demanding and complex transactions and provide expert, efficient and cost-effective services to all our clients. We regularly win awards for the quality of our client service, our work and our people.

Disclaimer

This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.

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