Seatrade Maritime is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Marshall Islands becomes the world's second largest ship registry

Marshall Islands becomes the world's second largest ship registry
The Marshall Islands has overtaken Liberia to become the world’s second largest ship registry boosted by Greek and Chinese owners.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) fleet now stands at 223,262,177 dwt making it the second largest registry in the world in deadweight tonnage terms administrators International Registries Inc (IRI) said in a statement.

"This is a very significant milestone for the RMI Registry," said Bill Gallagher, president, IRI.

IRI in particular credited the support of traditional Greek owners and newer Chinese owners.

RMI is the leading Greek flag 18.9% of the fleet in deadweight terms with some 79 ships totalling 62.19 dwt.

“We are delighted that our Greek owners and operators continue to hold the RMI Registry in such high regard which has been reflected in the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee's March 2017 Greek Controlled Shipping Report which shows the RMI as the number one choice of flag for Greek owners and operators," Theo Xenakoudis, director, worldwide business operations and managing director of the Piraeus office for IRI. 

Panama remains by far the world’s largest ship registry, with RMI moving ahead of Liberia in deadweight tonnage terms.