Comoros takes action on dark fleet
Comoros Cracks Down on Fraudulent Shipping Registries
The Comoros government is taking significant action to cleanse its international shipping registry, which has been exploited by tankers engaged in sanctions-evading oil trades from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. Recent reports from Windward, an Israeli maritime analytics firm, reveal that 62 tankers and other vessels are falsely flying the Comoros flag. This move comes amidst increasing scrutiny of the nation’s shipping practices by international authorities.
Details of the Clean-Out Effort
Windward’s analysis highlights that as of September 14, 2023, 62 tankers, three liquefied petroleum gas carriers, and one tugboat were flagged as falsely representing Comoros. The majority of these vessels are linked to sanctions imposed by the US, EU, or UK and are involved in transporting oil from Russia, Iran, or Venezuela. The situation is alarming, especially considering that Windward’s earlier research indicated that Comoros flagged a staggering 38% of sanctioned dark fleet tonnage of over 20,000 deadweight tons that was not falsely flagged.
The Comoros shipping registry ranks as the 25th largest in the world, with a fleet that has expanded by 274% this year, according to Clarksons Research. However, the rapid growth has raised concerns among maritime regulators due to the high number of flagged vessels involved in questionable activities. In July, both the European Union and the United Kingdom sanctioned Intershipping Services, a UAE-based company managing the flag registries for Comoros and Gabon. This action underscores the growing international pressure on these nations, which are increasingly seen as conduits for illicit oil trades.
International Concerns and Additional Findings
Comoros has faced ongoing scrutiny from port state control authorities, particularly for its reputation in high-risk maritime behavior. The country is on the Paris MOU blacklist and is red-flagged by the US Coast Guard. Reports from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) indicate that Comoros consistently ranks high in crew abandonment cases.
In addition to tackling falsely flagged vessels, Windward’s research has uncovered 12 other fraudulent registries being exploited by the dark fleet. These include Angola, Aruba, Benin, Curacao, Eswatini, Guinea, Guyana, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, St Maarten, and Timor Leste. The identification of these fraudulent registries further complicates the international maritime landscape, highlighting the persistent challenges of regulating maritime activities and enforcing sanctions against rogue states.
As Comoros embarks on this clean-out initiative, the global maritime community watches closely, hoping for a more transparent and accountable shipping environment.
