Vessel detained in Venezuela was falsely flying Guyana flag – MARAD

Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department has announced that the chemical tanker “Four Plus,” with IMO No. 9203930, recently detained by Venezuelan authorities for unauthorized entry into their waters, was falsely flying the Guyana flag.

See below the full statement issued:

The Maritime Administration Department hereby advises that the chemical tanker, “Four Plus” bearing IMO No. 9203930, which was recently detained by Venezuelan authorities for unauthorised entry into that State’s waters was falsely flying the Guyana flag.

The vessel is not registered in Guyana; therefore, it is not authorised to fly the Guyana flag or claim Guyanese nationality.

MARAD wishes to remind stakeholders and the public that it operates a closed Ships’ Registry and does not offer a flag of convenience.

Recent media reports highlighted the sanctioning of five oil tankers linked to a Syrian conglomerate with ties to Iran and Venezuela by the United States Treasury Department. These vessels also bore false registration documents.

The issues of fraudulently registered vessels and the operation of a global shadow fleet remain on the radar of the global maritime community.

The IMO at the 112th Session of its Legal Committee, scheduled for March this year, is expected to further develop measures to prevent these unlawful practices.