Shadow Fleet Tankers Falsely Claimed Dutch Registry
Sanctioned oil tankers used fraudulent Curaçao registration documents to hide their true origins.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Financial Crime
Live Poll
Do you trust that authorities are doing enough to prevent misuse of your territory's maritime identity?
In March and July 2026, the sanctioned tankers Lan Jing and Belma falsely registered as vessels from Curaçao. An investigation by S&P Global revealed a total of 54 ships are using fraudulent registrations linked to Dutch Caribbean territories to bypass sanctions.
Why it matters
These fraudulent practices allow shadow fleet vessels to continue transporting Iranian oil despite international sanctions. By exploiting the lack of official tanker registries in these territories, operators conceal their true identity to evade regulatory oversight.
S&P Global identified 22 ships falsely using Curaçao registration, 20 for Aruba, and 12 for Sint Maarten as of September 18, 2026. The Dutch government is now developing legislative amendments to authorize the detention of vessels lacking valid registration.
The players
S&P Global
This is a global provider of financial information and maritime analytics that tracks vessel movements and registration data.
United States
This nation acts as an international authority that imposes sanctions on vessels involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
The details
Shadow fleet vessels frequently rotate names and ownership structures to mask their operations and circumvent United States-imposed sanctions on Iranian oil exports. While these tankers claim flags from Curaçao, Aruba, or Sint Maarten, these territories do not officially include such oil tankers in their registries.
Timeline
March 2026: The Lan Jing tanker claimed Curaçao registration.
July 2026: The Belma tanker claimed Curaçao registration.
September 18, 2026: S&P Global confirmed 54 ships with fake registrations.
Legal Context
The use of fraudulent flags represents an evolving effort by shadow fleets to bypass the United States sanctions on Iranian oil transportation. This activity follows a pattern where illicit actors exploit regulatory gaps to maintain global trade flows despite international restrictions.
Increased regulatory scrutiny and the planned Dutch legislative amendments aim to improve maritime transparency and prevent sanctioned vessels from operating undetected. These measures are designed to curb the prevalence of shadow fleets that use fraudulent documentation to bypass global sanctions.
The takeaway
The proliferation of fraudulent maritime registrations complicates global efforts to enforce sanctions and monitor oil shipments. Increased coordination between nations and maritime data providers remains essential to closing these regulatory loopholes.
Further reading
For additional context on how illicit actors manipulate global trade, visit our Financial Crime section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that authorities are doing enough to prevent misuse of your territory's maritime identity?
