Choosing a flag. Is reputation of any importance?

[BM2023]

During the high season popular coastal marines, around the Mediterranean, show a wide array of flags. At times it looks like the parade of flagpoles at the United Nations.

Fiscal motivations are a clear indicator when, for example, one sails under the Maltese flag. Merchant ships sailing under the flag of Liberia or Mongolia are subject to some more attention by harbour authorities because of the reputation of the flags.

How important is the reputation of a flag, or its flag state, when considering a flag? Does the Paris MoU “White, Grey and Black (WGB) list” have any influence or are more pragmatic factors that determine the final choice?