Several oil tankers registered under the Gambian flag have been detained at Chinese ports due to serious safety and environmental violations, raising concerns about regulatory oversight in the country’s maritime sector.
As of March 2025, four Gambian-flagged vessels, including gas carriers, oil tankers, and special activity ships, have been held during Port State Control inspections. The ships were cited for multiple infractions, including life-saving equipment failures, fire safety hazards, and pollution prevention shortcomings.
The rapid expansion of Gambia’s shipping registry has drawn international attention. In 2023, the country had no tankers flying its flag, but by mid-March 2025, it had registered 35 oil and gas tankers. Industry experts estimate that nearly 99% of these vessels operate under sanctions imposed by the US, UK, or EU, or are involved in restricted oil and gas trade.
Among the detained vessels was the Gas Leader, a gas carrier seized in Humen, China, on February 13, 2025. Inspectors found critical deficiencies, including faulty lifeboats, pollution control failures, and inadequate fire protection systems. The ship was released the next day after necessary repairs.
Another vessel, the ANITA, a 157,831-ton oil tanker, was detained in Rizhao, China, on February 20, 2025. Authorities flagged it for compromised watertight integrity, defective fire safety measures, and poor maintenance. The tanker was held for four days before being cleared. Despite its release, reports indicate that it continues to sail under the Gambian flag.
The KATSUYA, a 28,546-ton oil tanker, was detained in Dongjiakou, China, on February 22, 2025, over certification issues and environmental violations. It was released after corrective actions were taken. Meanwhile, the Salakh 22, a special activities vessel, was held in Taizhou, Zhejiang, for nearly two weeks due to severe navigation safety violations.
The rapid increase in Gambian-flagged vessels, now totaling nearly 3.6 million dwt, has led to heightened scrutiny. More than half of this fleet is reportedly linked to sanctioned operations. The country has also absorbed ships from struggling registries, further fueling concerns over regulatory oversight.
The repeated detentions of Gambian-flagged vessels for similar violations indicate a potential lack of enforcement in the country’s maritime administration. Without stronger oversight and stricter compliance measures, these ships may continue to face heightened inspections and detentions at international ports.
