Iran tanker seizure: What's so important about a ship's flag?

    Press/Media: Expert Comment

    Description

    The cargo ship Stena Impero, seized by Iran last week, was sailing under a British flag - but it was owned by a Swedish company and had no British nationals on board.

    It's very common for ships to fly the flag of a country that differs from that of the owners.

    But why is it done and who benefits?

    Period25 Jul 2019

    Media contributions

    1

    Media contributions

    • TitleIran tanker seizure: What's so important about a ship's flag?
      Degree of recognitionInternational
      Media name/outletBBC News (World)
      Media typeWeb
      Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
      Date25/07/19
      DescriptionIt's very common for ships to fly the flag of a country that differs from that of the owners.
      But why is it done and who benefits?
      Producer/AuthorBBC News
      URLhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-49083108
      PersonsIoannis Chapsos
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    Keywords

    • ship flagging
    • Maritime security
    • tanker seizure
    • Iran