The government of Eswatini has distanced itself from reports that a vessel seized in Iran was operating under its flag, declaring that the country has no ship registry and any such registration is fraudulent.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi said Eswatini has never authorised individuals, companies or foreign agents to register vessels on its behalf.
“Any person or entity claiming to operate a ship under the Eswatini flag is doing so illegally,” he said in a statement.
Mkhaliphi stressed that the establishment of a maritime registry would require legislation passed by parliament, which has not occurred.
He added that the misuse of Eswatini’s name by criminal networks engaged in illicit activities such as fuel smuggling was “deeply irresponsible” and condemned by the government.
The clarification followed reports from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it had seized an Eswatini‑flagged tanker near the port of Bushehr, allegedly carrying more than 350,000 litres of smuggled fuel.
Landlocked Eswatini said it could not identify the owners of vessels falsely claiming its flag but pledged to work with the International Maritime Organisation and global enforcement bodies to prevent further misuse.
JN/APA