The Malawi government has disclosed that it has engaged the International Maritime Organization over reports that vessels transporting sanctioned Russian oil have allegedly been posing as Malawian-flagged ships.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charles Nkhalamba, told the local media that authorities will soon formally engage the global maritime body to substantively address the matter before the international community.
Nkhalamba said the government is taking the issue seriously and is working on long-term safeguards to prevent abuse of Malawi’s registry system.
He added that the move is intended to tighten procedures and restore confidence in Malawi’s maritime registry. “We are doing that to make it harder for fraudsters to falsely use the Malawian flag in the future,” he said.
Malawi is reportedly among 27 countries whose flags have been falsely used by fraudsters in global shipping operations. In 2025 alone, at least 25 sanctioned vessels are said to have transported Russian oil while posing as Malawian-flagged ships, raising concerns about reputational risks and potential diplomatic implications for the country.
Authorities say the engagement with the International Maritime Organization marks the beginning of a process aimed at clearing Malawi’s name and strengthening oversight mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of its national flag on international waters.
