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Sanctioned oil tanker seized by U.S.
…was illegally flying Guyana flag
(Kaieteur News) – The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) issued a statement yesterday clarifying the status of the oil tanker Majestic X, following its seizure by United States forces in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel, which was intercepted while transporting Iranian oil, was previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2024 under its former name, PHONIX, for smuggling crude oil in violation of American sanctions. Despite the name change, international databases confirm the vessel’s identity via its permanent IMO number, which remains recorded as PHONIX.
MARAD officials state that the Majestic X is not, and has never been, registered in Guyana. The department has confirmed that the vessel is fraudulently flying the Guyana flag, as there is no record of this ship or its previous name in the national registry.
The Majestic X transporting oil from Iran in the Indian Ocean bearing the Guyana Flag. Source (@DeptofWar/X)
“This ship is NOT registered in Guyana; thus, the registration is false and fraudulent. While the name of the vessel has changed, the IMO number remains recorded in the international database as PHONIX. There is no record of this vessel or name in Guyana’s registry. Therefore, the ship is FRAUDULENTLY flying the Guyana flag,” MARAD assured.
Investigations revealed that the perpetrators of this fraud have targeted several countries, including Guyana, Panama, and other regional states, with these false registrations being recognized as a recurring issue since 2021.
The department emphasized that Guyana operates a strictly closed registry to maintain maritime integrity. Under Guyanese law, the registration of vessels is limited to ships owned by Guyanese nationals, residents, citizens of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states, or corporate bodies established under the laws of Guyana. None of the purported owners of the Majestic X fall into any of these categories, further proving that the vessel’s claims of Guyanese affiliation are entirely false.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) currently maintains and publishes a list of all ships falsely flying flags of member states to combat such international deception. The sanctions currently being applied by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western states are, in part, a response to the security and diplomatic threats posed by these false registrations. In response, MARAD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue to share information regarding these illicit activities with United Nations maritime states and relevant regional and international maritime associations.
Furthermore, MARAD expressed concern regarding the intent of certain local news outlets and media agencies that appear determined to share unconfirmed and false allegations regarding the integrity of Guyana’s ship registry. The department remains wary of these reports and reaffirms its commitment to transparency. MARAD continues to work alongside international partners to protect the nation’s sovereign identity and ensure that Guyana’s maritime standing is not exploited by illicit actors on the high seas.
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Only the UN is authorized to impose legitimate sanctions. Not the US or any other.