International Maritime Organization (IMO): https://www.imo.org/

A specialized agency of the United Nations, the IMO’s main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and implemented. Its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security, and the efficiency of shipping. IMO’s specialized committees and sub-committees are the focus for the technical work to update existing legislation or develop and adopt new regulations, with meetings attended by maritime experts from Member Governments, together with those from interested intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Red Ensign Group (REG): https://www.redensigngroup.org/

The Red Ensign Group is comprised of 13 international shipping registries. The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), supports DfT in developing and implementing in UK Government’s overall maritime safety and environmental protection strategy. It carries out a wide range of activities, including operation of a 24-hour HM Coastguard search and rescue service, and the development and implementation of regulation to support maritime safety and environment protection. The MCA is the Flag State for all vessels flying the Red Ensign. MCA has delegated authority from the UK Secretary of State for Transport for the collective British Shipping Registers. In undertaking this authorisation, the MCA carries out 2 distinct roles: -

1.       To fulfil its policy obligation, in terms of the entire UK flag state (13 members), to ensure that the standards maintained by the shipping registers in the UK OTs and CDs are, where appropriate, equivalent to that of the UK register.

2.       To perform as the Maritime administration of the UK, with the UK OTs & CDs (REG and non-REG) performing under devolved responsibilities.

The legal framework for the relationship between each REG Shipping Register and the MCA/DfT is set out in individual Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs). These MoUs exist to govern the relationship and establish the responsibilities and conditions, of both the REG Administration and the MCA/DfT, for the operation of either a Category 1 or 2 Shipping Registry. Each MoU, together with the REG member’s commitment to comply with the UK flag state quality objectives is monitored by the MCA.