Africa-Press – Eswatini. Government has issued a firm clarification following reports from Iran alleging that a seized fuel-smuggling vessel was operating under the Kingdom’s flag.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi, has made it clear that Eswatini has no maritime ship registry and therefore no vessel anywhere in the world can legally claim to be registered under the Eswatini flag.
“Eswatini does not have any ship registered under its flag at this moment.”
He stressed that the Kingdom has never authorised any individual, company, or agent, local or foreign, to register ships on its behalf.
“The Kingdom has no operational ship registry. Any person or entity claiming to operate a ship under the Eswatini flag is doing so illegally. Such actors are criminals who must be dealt with by the relevant international authorities.”
Responding to Iran’s report that a ship carrying 350,000 litres of “smuggled fuel” was seized while allegedly operating under Eswatini’s flag, the PS described such conduct as criminal and unacceptable.
“The name of our country is being misused in a deeply irresponsible and criminal manner by unscrupulous entities engaging in illicit activities.”
He reaffirmed that Eswatini has no connection whatsoever to the vessel intercepted in Iran.
“Eswatini is not, and will never be, party to such unlawful activities.”
Mkhaliphi highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to safeguarding its reputation globally.
“We are committed to working closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other global enforcement bodies to eradicate the misuse of the Kingdom’s name.”
He concluded:“The Kingdom of Eswatini has no connection whatsoever to the vessel reported to be seized in Iran, and we reject in the strongest terms any attempts to associate our country with maritime criminality.”
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