Noun
flag state (plural flag states)
The country in which a ship is registered.
He said: ‘‘The Jonathan administration introduced the Global West alternative, which came in form of Public Private Partnership arrangement and the scope did not limit them to maritime security; it included enforcement, Port and Flag State control. Source: Internet
The Flag state referred the case to mediation, yet the ship managers have failed to resolve the case, pay the outstanding wages of the crew, and sign the seafarers off the vessel. Source: Internet