TANZANIA REFUSES TO BE A "SCAPEGOAT": THE TRUTH BEHIND SHIP REGISTRATION AND THE NATIONAL FLAG

In a decisive move to protect its national integrity, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar have taken stringent measures to sanitize the International Ship Registry.

This follows the recent seizure of the vessel FMS Eagle in El Salvador, which was intercepted with a cargo of cocaine while flying the Tanzanian flag. 

This specific incident has sparked significant misinformation suggesting Tanzanian involvement in illicit trades, prompting a strategic response to stop the nation from being used as a "scapegoat" or a "proxy" for international criminals. 

For years, the Open Registry system has been exploited by unscrupulous private agents who prioritize registration fees over national reputation, a practice that previously led to Tanzania being placed on the "Black List" of major maritime authorities such as the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU.

Tanzania has a proven track record of taking bold actions when its flag is compromised to uphold international law and UN sanctions. 

In previous years, the government proactively de-registered over 50 Iranian tankers and approximately 13 North Korean vessels that had used foreign intermediaries to covertly register under the Tanzanian flag to evade international economic sanctions. 

Following those scandals, the government revoked contracts with several international shipping agents based in hubs like Dubai and Singapore who were involved in reckless registrations, subsequently centralizing oversight under the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA).

It is fundamentally misleading to suggest that the Tanzanian government is linked to these criminal activities, as international maritime law allows shipowners to utilize a "Flag of Convenience" (FOC) to register vessels in foreign nations.

As clarified by Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa regarding the FMS Eagle, there was zero Tanzanian involvement; none of the 10 arrested suspects were Tanzanian citizens, and the vessel is not Tanzanian-owned nor has it ever docked in Tanzanian waters. The ship was registered through a private agent, Conarina Group, in a commercial transaction that did not involve state endorsement of the vessel's illicit activities.

To regain its status on the "White List"—the category for elite, compliant maritime nations—the government has launched "Operation Clean Flag."

Currently, Tanzania has approximately 450 to 520 vessels on its international register, but frequent detentions for technical or legal non-compliance by some of these vessels have kept the country in a "High Risk" category. 

Immediate steps have been taken, including the de-registration of the FMS Eagle on February 18 and the imposition of a $20,000 fine. 

Additionally, an ongoing audit aims to eliminate all unscrupulous agents who fail to conduct rigorous due diligence, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially notified international maritime bodies to disassociate the vessel from Tanzanian jurisdiction. 

Accusing the Tanzanian government of crimes committed by international syndicates reveals a profound misunderstanding of global shipping laws, and the nation remains firm in its resolve to ensure its flag is never again used as a cover for narcotics or illicit trade.