Tonga has initiated investigations into reports suggesting that at least 10 ships operating illegally in the East and South China Seas are unlawfully flying the Tongan flag. These vessels, predominantly oil tankers, are allegedly transporting sanctioned crude oil from countries such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela in an effort to evade restrictions imposed by the European Union and the United Nations.
Radio New Zealand has highlighted that these vessels are misleadingly registered under Tonga’s flag. However, it is important to note that Tonga closed its International Ship Registry in 2002 due to past incidents involving Tongan-registered ships being linked to groups associated with terrorist activities.
Shipping expert Mark Douglas emphasized that such practices are not typical for Tonga. He pointed out that if these ships lack adequate maintenance and insurance, any accidents would place significant responsibility on the flag state to address the fallout. Furthermore, Douglas indicated that monitoring has revealed these ships passing through a Malaysian port in East Johor, known for rebranding Iranian crude oil as Malaysian before exporting it to China.
Sanctions imposed by the UN and EU aim to limit the transport of oil and military supplies to nations like Russia and North Korea, which are believed to support terrorist actions. These sanctions often result in prohibitions on vessel access to ports, service bans, asset freezes, and limitations on territorial waters, thereby affecting global trade and energy markets. The vessels involved frequently falsify their identities using the Automatic Identification System (AIS), a tool utilized by port authorities to prevent maritime collisions.
In a concerning trend, Tonga and Fiji have been identified by Lloyd’s registry as countries whose flags are frequently misused by sanctioned ships on a global scale. This situation raises alarms about maritime security and compliance with international laws, reflecting ongoing challenges in regulating international shipping practices effectively.
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