Application of ANP to the selection of shipping registry: The case of Taiwanese maritime industry

The results show that operating costs are the most important factor, followed by market conditions, national policies and laws, and international laws and restrictions. Taxation of shipping, finance conditions, trade restrictions and barriers, crew costs, and incentives are the five most important sub-criteria. The flag of convenience (FOC) is the best choice as a shipping registry system, followed by the second ship register. The national flag is shipowners' last choice. In addition, to illustrate the feedback relationship in the ANP structure, the paper also presents the ranking of important sub-criteria under various shipping registry choices.