Malawi Engages International Maritime Organisation Over Alleged Misuse of National Flag

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

The government has disclosed that it has engaged the International Maritime Organisation regarding reports that the Malawian flag is allegedly being used by Russian-linked shadow fleet tankers to evade international sanctions.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charles Nkhalamba, told MIJ Online that the government will soon engage the Organisation to substantively address the matter with the international community.

He added that the government is currently developing guidelines aimed at strengthening how the international registration of ships is handled.

“We are doing this in order to make it harder for fraudsters to falsely use the Malawian flag in the future,” he said.

Malawi is among 27 countries whose flags have allegedly been falsely used by fraudsters in the shipping industry.

In 2025, at least 25 sanctioned vessels transported Russian oil while posing as Malawian-fl

agged ships.