PHILIPSBURG – The growing presence of a so-called “shadow fleet” is raising alarms among countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as ships linked to sanctioned nations increasingly exploit Caribbean flags to evade international restrictions.
The issue was a central topic during the Kingdom Maritime Consultation in Sint Maarten, where authorities discussed how vessels associated with countries such as Russia and Iran frequently change names, ownership structures, and flag registrations to avoid detection.
In some cases, these ships have reportedly operated under Curaçaoan or Sint Maarten flags without legitimate registration, highlighting vulnerabilities in the system.
Maritime officials warned that this misuse not only undermines enforcement of international sanctions but also damages the reputation of the Kingdom’s maritime sector.
The problem is closely tied to broader efforts to monitor and regulate global shipping activities, particularly in relation to illicit oil trade and sanctions evasion.
During the consultation, authorities emphasized the need for stronger monitoring, better information sharing, and coordinated action across the Kingdom to address the issue effectively.
Ministers reiterated that maintaining a safe, transparent, and reliable maritime sector is critical, and that joint efforts will be intensified to prevent further abuse of Caribbean ship registries.