Asia Strengthens Flag State Oversight and Maritime Safety
Maritime officials from across Asia strengthened their capacity to implement flag State obligations, maritime regulations and safety oversight during an IMO regional workshop held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, from 21–25 September 2026. The five-day programme focused on improving maritime compliance and strengthening oversight of recognized organizations under the Code for Recognized Organizations (RO Code).
Jointly organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD), the workshop brought together 22 participants from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. From an expert perspective, stronger flag State oversight is essential for maintaining effective maritime safety, ensuring reliable certification and improving the consistent enforcement of international maritime standards across the region.
Participants examined flag State responsibilities relating to surveys and certification, along with the authorization and oversight of recognized organizations under the RO Code. The code provides a framework for flag States to assess, authorize and monitor third-party organizations that conduct statutory surveys and certification on their behalf.
The workshop also addressed recurring findings identified through the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), the mandatory mechanism used to assess how effectively Member States implement and enforce IMO instruments. Discussions covered the implementation and enforcement of international maritime instruments, oversight programmes, delegation of authority to recognized organizations, and the evaluation of maritime administration processes.
Building on these findings, participants considered corrective actions and good practices for addressing common challenges in recognized organization oversight. Particular attention was given to written agreements, reporting requirements and performance monitoring, all of which support greater accountability and transparency in delegated maritime functions.
The workshop also demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation and information sharing in achieving more consistent implementation of international maritime requirements. Stronger coordination among maritime administrations can help countries address common regulatory challenges while improving the effectiveness of national oversight systems.
The initiative coincided with World Maritime Day on 24 September, observed in 2026–2027 under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.” By combining training, technical assistance and knowledge sharing, the workshop supported maritime administrations in translating IMO requirements into practical measures at the national level.
The activity was delivered under the IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme, which supports countries in effectively implementing international maritime regulations and strengthening their maritime administration capabilities.
