ECNETNews, December 30, 2024: The Maritime Administration Department of Guyana has revealed that five tankers recently hit with U.S. sanctions are falsely claiming to be registered in the nation. The agency denounced these registrations as “false and fraudulent,” highlighting that Guyana’s shipping registry is highly regulated.
U.S. Sanctions and Guyana’s Response
The sanctioned vessels were among 13 ships targeted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on November 14. These sanctions were directed at entities associated with Syria’s Al-Qatirji Company, which is under investigation for facilitating the export of Iranian oil and funding Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force. Additionally, the U.S. alleges involvement in money laundering activities linked to locations such as Istanbul and Beirut.
Among those sanctioned, four crude oil tankers and one product tanker falsely claimed Guyana as their flag state. However, Guyana’s maritime authorities confirmed that none of these vessels are eligible for registration under its flag, as only vessels owned by Guyanese nationals, CARICOM citizens, or organizations incorporated in Guyana can be registered.
The Vessels Under Scrutiny
The ships identified in the sanctions include:
- Ramona I (164,445 dwt), built in 2002, reportedly owned by a Panamanian company.
- Mia (149,686 dwt), built in 1993, listed as owned by a Seychelles-based firm.
- Lia (146,273 dwt), built in 1996, traced back to a company in the Marshall Islands.
- Chloe (159,539 dwt), built in 1999, with unidentified ownership details.
- Baron (46,166 dwt), a 1995 product tanker managed by a Lebanese company but flagged under Iran.
International shipping database sources have flagged these crude oil tankers for using false flags.
Guyana’s Maritime Fraud Warnings
Guyana has been alert to fraudulent ship registrations since 2021 and has consistently issued warnings regarding these activities. In May 2024, government officials identified unauthorized groups working to improperly register vessels under the nation’s flag. They confirmed that similar fraud has affected several countries, including Panama.
“The perpetrators of this fraud have targeted several countries including Guyana and others in the region,” stated the Maritime Administration Department, indicating that this information has been shared with regional and international maritime organizations.
Guyana’s Closed Registry Policy
Guyana reaffirms that it does not engage in flag of convenience practices, maintaining a strict ship registry to protect its sovereignty and maritime integrity. Authorities are actively working to thwart unauthorized vessel registrations and preserve the nation’s maritime reputation.
