The 'Genuine link' Concept: Is It Possible to Enhance the Strength?

The article focuses on ways and means of strengthening the real connection between a ship and a state of registration. The author emphasizes the prerequisites, the conditions, and the consequences of the registration of sea-going ships in the alternative registries. He notes the complex nature of the genuine link and criticize the consideration of the registration of ships in states as activities aimed exclusively at generating income. The author considers public and private aspects of the registration of ships, its functions, and some mechanisms for preventing violations related to the link between a state of registration and a ship”. The negative impact of open registers and flags of convenience on genuine link strengths arises from the business approach to the choice of jurisdiction adopted both of shipowners and “convenient” registers. Thus, “convenient registers” view relaxation of requirements as a specific service that they provide and as a competitive advantage against other registers. The issue can be mitigated by coordinating steps taken by international maritime organizations and port states. The author notes the weakness of the steps taken to strengthen the genuine link, the inefficiency of norms of the international agreements in this sphere, assess the proposed mechanisms for strengthening it, and note the need to toughening control within the limits of the inspection according to the procedures of the Port State Control.