genuine link between a state and sh

genuine link between a state and ships flying its flag, in order to give more effective
control of the identification and accountability of shipowners and operators
especially in administrative, technical, economic and social matters.21
The convention defines the responsibility of the flag state to set up an adequate
national maritime administration to ensure that ships flying its flag comply with
the law (Article 5) and to ensure that the owner of the ship can be identified and
held accountable where necessary (Article 6). The convention also specifies the
information about the ship and its owner that should be entered in the state’s
national ship register (Article 11). Although it provides a formal statement of the
main issues concerning the registration of ships, it is not generally regarded as
having introduced any major changes in ship registration.