Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage international ship owners to register their merchant vessels on the UK Ship Register.

The UK Ship Register (UKSR) is promoting the UK Flag advantages to UK and eligible international owners of some of the largest fleets of quality ships in various sectors, including tankers, bulk carriers, container and passenger ships. In addition, the UKSR has enhanced its customer service, can now provide Maritime and Coastguard Agency Marine Surveyors 24/7, and has placed a Marine Surveyor in Singapore.

Other steps will include digitisation of services (Registration and Seafarer Documents) which will be rolled out in 2018/19. These changes will encourage UK and international ship owners to register their vessels with the UKSR.