5 Some final reflections on statutory self-regulation
The current use of, and co-operation with, the recognised organisations in ensuring safety and the environment at sea, enables maritime managing authorities to offer global levels of service that otherwise would not be resource realistic. Accordingly, the authorisation of classification societies must be accepted as a pragmatic necessity, at least for those States that have a sizeable trading fleet.
The system stands and falls by the confidence that one can realistically have in the classification companies' procedures and integrity. For example, if it appears that a classification society is either corrupt or performing poorly, the system loses not only its legitimacy – the system collapses altogether, as has unfortunately been seen in the performance rates of some flag States. The extensive transfer of the Danish Maritime Authority's competence to classification societies therefore requires a relevant, regular and thorough system in place to control the classification societies, as also pre-supposed in the EU and national rules, and a pressure on Denmark as a flag State to perform to at minimum classification society standards. One should never ignore the age-old question, 'quis custodiet ipsos custodes?'.