Enhanced Flag State Inspections for Vanuatu – Flagged Vessels Calling Romanian Ports

C26003 | 15 January 2026

Notice to: Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators

To enhance the overall performance of the Vanuatu flag, maintain the Registry’s reputation, and protect its international standing, the Maritime Administrator has decided, by FSL 080525, to implement enhanced safety oversight measures.

These measures follow recent Port State Control (PSC) detentions, high-level deficiencies, and ISM-related non-conformities experienced by Vanuatu-flagged vessels in Romanian ports and are effective immediately.

  1.Scope and Application of Flag State Inspections (FSI)

Any Vanuatu-flagged vessel calling at any Romanian port, at any time, may be subject to a Flag State Inspection (FSI).

Flag State Inspections may be arranged:

    • Prior to arrival at a Romanian port, including at the vessel’s last port before Romania or at any suitable point along the vessel’s route to Romania; or
    • During the vessel’s stay in a Romanian port.

  2.Criteria for Selection of Vessels

The selection of vessels for Flag State Inspections will be based on a review of the vessel’s compliance record, including but not limited to the following:

    •  PSC detentions within the last two (2) years, including those conducted under the Paris, Tokyo, Mediterranean, and Black Sea MoUs;
    •  ISM-related deficiencies or major non-conformities identified during recent PSC inspections within the last three (3) months;
    •  High-level deficiencies or observations found during previous flag state inspections;
    •  Vessels that have not undergone an inspection within the last six (6) months within the Paris MoU jurisdiction;
    •  Vessels designated as Priority 1 (P1) or Priority 2 (P2) under the Paris MoU jurisdiction;
    •  Any other compliance concerns deemed relevant by the Maritime Administrator;

 3.Compliance and Enforcement

These measures are implemented to ensure full compliance with all relevant international regulations and codes and to prevent further detentions or serious deficiencies in Romanian ports.

Non-compliance with this directive may result in administrative sanctions, including:

    • Fines;
    • Suspension of the vessel’s registry; or
    • Unilateral deletion of the vessel from the registry.

Act now

All owners and Operators are strongly urged to maintain the highest standards of safety and Operational readiness prior to calling at Romanian ports.