Who we are

The Red Ensign Group (REG) is a group of British Shipping Registers.

It is made up from the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) and the UK Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and the Turks & Caicos Islands) which operate shipping registers from their jurisdiction.

Any vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency or UK Overseas Territory, is a "British ship" and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag.

These registers are divided into two categories:

Category 1 - register ships of unlimited tonnage and type. Category 1 Registers are Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and United Kingdom.

Category 2 - register commercial ships and pleasure vessels of up to 150 gross tons (GT). This limit can be extended to 400GT with an agreement in place with the UK. Category 2 Registers are Anguilla, Falkland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Montserrat, St Helena and Tucks & Caicos Islands. 

More information on individual registries is available under Member Registers on this website. 

Strength and quality through collaboration

The REG Vision

To uphold and enhance the reputation of the Red Ensign by collectively promoting a large and diverse fleet without compromising quality.

The REG Strategy

We will ensure the successful development of the British fleet, in terms of quality and controlled growth, by promoting the Red Ensign brand through a collaborative working relationship, using the strengths of the partnership to our advantage.

The combined resource pool, and the talent within that pool, shall be used to full effect in order to achieve our vision by enhancing the quality and reputation of the British fleet.

While strength in size of fleet is a desired objective, we shall also ensure that the British fleet is synonymous with "quality shipping" by maintaining high technical, social, and administrative standards; as reflected in the REG Quality Objectives.

The influence of the group shall be used to full effect as we are stronger together than the sum of the parts. While recognising there may be some differences, we will strive for consistent quality standards.

 "Strength and quality through collaboration."