The very large crude carrier Anita, a 24-year-old vessel previously known as Cerigo, has reflagged to Gambia, marking its seventh change of registry since 2020. The tanker has been used for transporting and storing oil between Iran and China for over four years. This move highlights a growing trend among anonymous shipowners using smaller or less regulated registries to circumvent sanctions and oversight.
Gambia now joins other countries like St. Maarten, Guinea, Guyana, and Eswatini as a favored registry for vessels involved in sanctioned energy and grain trades. These flags of convenience provide a shield from regulatory scrutiny, enabling ships like the Anita to continue their operations under the radar.
This shift reflects the ongoing challenges of enforcing maritime sanctions, as the so-called “dark fleet” employs various strategies to avoid detection, including frequent changes in names and registries.
The use of smaller registries for such activities raises concerns about compliance and the broader implications for global shipping regulations.
