THE HAGUE – A growing parliamentary inquiry in the Netherlands is scrutinising how an oil tanker alleged to be operating illicitly was able to unload Venezuelan crude in Curaçao earlier this month, triggering political questions about regulatory oversight, sanctions compliance, and maritime safety.
The Regina, a vessel reported by international press to have switched its identifying flag to that of East Timor and sailed with its Automatic Identification System turned off, arrived in Curaçao on January 15 and offloaded Venezuelan oil — despite indications that the ship was listed on a U.S. sanctions roster and using a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number that did not correspond with the vessel itself.
In a detailed set of parliamentary questions submitted by the CDA faction, MPs pressed the Dutch government to explain when Dutch authorities first became aware of the irregularities, including alerts reportedly issued by East Timor to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about fraudulent flagging.
Critics argue that initial responses suggesting the Netherlands became aware of the flag-fraud only after questions from media on January 21 appear at odds with reports that Curaçao’s maritime regulator had earlier concerns and communicated these to Dutch counterparts.
The vessel was reportedly detained upon a subsequent return to port on January 28, after Dutch authorities verified the suspected violations, leading to questions in The Hague about the integrity of information-sharing and oversight between Curaçao and Dutch agencies.
Dutch MPs are also seeking answers about the welfare of the Filipina crew who remained on board after the vessel was immobilised, whether other sanctioned vessels such as the Volans or Albedo were headed toward Curaçao, and what protective measures are in place to prevent repeat incidents.
Concerns extend to geopolitical and legal contexts, with lawmakers querying ties to U.S. government licences granted to oil traders, contact between U.S. authorities and the Netherlands or Curaçao over the matter, and the broader risk that involvement in such shipments may contravene international sanctions or law.
The controversy has intensified debate on obligations shared under the Kingdom of the Netherlands framework for foreign affairs and sanctions enforcement — including whether the Kingdom Council of Ministers has discussed the case or should formally review it.
No formal governmental response has yet been made public.