flag stateglossary / FLAG STATE flag state. Maritime law. The state under whose flag a ship is registered. • A ship may fly the flag of one state only. [Cases: Shipping2. C.J.S. Shipping § 1.] 词条贡献者 双语律师Stephanie,毕业于法国一流的高级翻译学院,擅长翻译各类与上诉案件相关的法律文件。