The Tongan flag is being falsely displayed by banned vessels operating in the East China and South China seas, raising concerns about the misuse of Pacific nations’ identities by sanctioned shipping networks.
According to Wellington‑based Starboard Maritime Intelligence, at least ten oil tankers currently tracking through the region are falsely flying under the flag of Tonga.
The vessels are believed to be part of a broader network of sanctioned tankers potentially transporting crude oil from Russia, Iran, or Venezuela—countries subject to international restrictions.
Analysts say the practice of using so‑called “false flags” is becoming increasingly common among sanctioned fleets seeking to evade detection and enforcement.
Tonga an Unlikely Flag State
Starboard analyst Mark Douglas told RNZ Pacific that it would be highly unusual for Tonga to flag oil tankers, noting that the kingdom closed its ship registry in 2002.
“It’s just not something that Tonga is known for doing,” Douglas said.
He explained that flag states are legally responsible for oversight of vessels flying their flag, including ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and insurance requirements.
“If they don’t have insurance and they’re not well maintained, if there’s an accident it would be in the hands of the flag state to fix that problem,” he said.
“Tonga is obviously not wanting to deal with this problem, but somebody’s trying to pretend that they do.”
Maritime intelligence experts warn that falsely attributing ships to Pacific island nations exposes those countries to reputational damage and potential legal complications, despite having no involvement in the vessels’ operations.
The use of Pacific flags—where registries are dormant, limited, or non‑existent—appears to be a deliberate tactic aimed at exploiting gaps in maritime oversight and enforcement.
Starboard Maritime Intelligence says it continues to monitor sanctioned shipping movements in the region and has shared its findings with international authorities.
Other Pacific island flags implicated include the Cook Islands and Timor‑Leste, with growing evidence suggesting the archipelago has become a haven for foreign smugglers who sail under the Cook Islands flag to evade scrutiny while flouting Western sanctions.
Past Flag Registry Scandal Resurfaces
The report also recalls the controversy that erupted in Tonga in the early 2000s after Tongan‑flagged vessels were linked to suspected terrorist activity in the Middle East, including al‑Qaeda, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The most notorious case involved the Karine A, which was seized in the Red Sea with around 50 tonnes of largely Iranian weapons that Israel said were destined for the Palestinian Authority.
At the time, Tongan officials said about 185 ships—most operating in the Middle East—were registered under Tonga’s flag.
The government said at the time it had closed its controversial shipping registry; however, a second vessel later alleged to have links to terrorism was reportedly found to be operating under a Tongan registration.
