The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned ships carrying the flag of Cameroon from entering its waters.
This measure is aimed at distancing the emirate from vessels that pose a risk, particularly those assembled for transporting sanctioned oil.
A circular from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, published on the Port of Fujairah website, has added the Cameroon flag to a restricted list.
As a result, maritime companies and ship agents are advised not to provide services to vessels registered in Cameroon. However, this ban does not extend to ships that have undergone assessment by a broader international classification body.
In the shipping industry, many merchant ships operate under flags different from the countries where they are owned or operated.
Common choices include Panama and the Marshall Islands, which play a crucial role in upholding safety standards.
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As of the middle of the previous year, Cameroon had been classified as posing a very high risk of vessels failing safety inspections when calling at ports.
Although the Cameroon-registered fleet of oil tankers is relatively small, a significant portion has visited Russia in the past year. Despite their size, these tankers contribute to less than 1% of Russia’s total oil shipments.