Clay Maitland, managing partner of the world’s third largest registry, the Marshall Islands, has dispelled rumours of a second US Flag registry, claiming it is “not commercially viable”.

Asked whether the Merchant Marine Policy Coalition (MMPC), is a “front” for a second registry in an interview with American news organisation Maritime TV, Maitland responded “No it is not.

“The MMPC was originally set up to create a more inclusive body of support for the US Flag merchant marine,” Maitland added, indicating that his company International Registries, which runs the Marshall Islands Registry, would not, if asked, agree to operate a second registry on behalf of the United States government, calling it “Not commercially viable.”

“The US government runs the present US Flag Merchant Marine – their registry – very competently, but not at a profit… it would be impossible to do an adequate job of running the US flag administration, which now is run by the US Coast Guard, and at the same time be able to pay the way of the operation.”

Maitland explained that managing a second US registry would represent a conflict of interest, because the Marshall Islands Ship Registry, whose vessels are inspected by the US Coast Guard, are ultimately accountable to the US government. “We can’t then do that, and be in partnership with the US Government.”

“We want a bigger US Flag Merchant Marine, as does the US Maritime Administration, as does the US Government.”