What does it mean for a ship to be S’pore-flagged, and why is S’pore involved in Baltimore ship collapse probe?

The Dali container ship crashed into one of the pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26. - Reuters

SINGAPORE: A container ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26 was sailing under the Singapore flag, spawning questions about what this means, why Singapore’s authorities are involved in the investigation and the parties that could be held liable.

The Straits Times looks at what it means for a ship to be registered in Singapore and why investigators here have been sent to the United States to aid in the probe.