PHILIPSBURG – Countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands are stepping up efforts to combat fraudulent ship registrations and the circumvention of international sanctions, following discussions at the Kingdom Maritime Consultation held in Sint Maarten.
A key issue raised during the meeting was the growing use of so-called false flag registrations, where vessels operate under Caribbean flags without being officially registered. Authorities say this practice has become increasingly visible in recent cases involving oil tankers linked to smuggling activities.
According to the Dutch government, no oil tankers are officially registered in Curaçao, meaning that any vessel sailing under a Curaçao flag in such cases is considered fraudulent.
Officials warn that these practices pose serious risks to the credibility and integrity of maritime registries within the Kingdom, as well as to enforcement efforts.
The discussions also addressed how to strengthen oversight and improve the implementation of international sanctions, with maritime authorities agreeing that closer cooperation is essential.
At the end of the week, ministers responsible for maritime affairs met during the Four Countries Consultation to assess the risks and explore solutions aimed at safeguarding the sector.