URGENT FRAUD AND SANCTIONS ALERT - Forged Certificates of Registry – Sanctioned Oil Tanker
Circular #30
Date: February 26, 2026
From: Office of the Maritime Administrator, Vanuatu International Shipping Registry
To: All Shipowners, Operators, Managers, Recognized Agents, and Stakeholders
The Office of the Maritime Administrator of the Republic of Vanuatu hereby issues this urgent notification concerning the circulation of forged Certificates of Registry falsely purporting to have been issued by the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR).
The vessels involved are:
1. PERIDOT
• IMO Number: 9259991
• Type: Oil / Chemical Tanker
• Fraudulent Certificate Issue Date: 20 January 2026
2. AGATE
• IMO Number: 9310707
• Type: Oil Tanker
• Fraudulent Certificate Issue Date: 27 January 2026
Sanctions Policy and Deletion of the Vessels
On 15 October 2025, the Maritime Administrator formally adopted a strengthened sanctions compliance policy.
Under this policy, the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry applies on a blanket basis:
• United Nations Security Council sanctions
• United States OFAC sanctions
• European Union restrictive measures
• United Kingdom sanctions measures
This policy was implemented as part of the Registry’s broader compliance modernization framework and risk-management reforms.
Following the adoption of this policy and a comprehensive review of the fleet, the above-referenced vessels were identified as falling within applicable EU and UK sanctions measures.
Accordingly, both vessels were formally deleted from the Vanuatu Register.
They are therefore:
• Not registered under the flag of the Republic of Vanuatu
• Not entitled to fly the Vanuatu flag
• Not issued any Certificate of Registry in 2026 by this Administration
Any Certificate of Registry dated 2026 relating to these vessels is forged, invalid, and without legal effect.
Fraudulent Website Impersonation
The forged certificates contain QR codes directing users to:
www.registervu.com
This domain was identified as a fraudulent website impersonating the official Vanuatu International Shipping Registry.
Upon the matter being brought to our attention, the Maritime Administrator acted immediately and formally requested the domain registrar and hosting provider to suspend and shut down the website.
The fraudulent website was hosted and developed through service providers located in Turkey, and it was successfully taken offline by mid-February 2026 following our intervention.
The only official registry domain of the Republic of Vanuatu is:
www.register-vu.com
Any other domain must be treated as unauthorized and fraudulent.
Enforcement and Legal Action
The matter has been formally notified to the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Vanuatu.
Legal and investigative steps are underway, including international cooperation mechanisms, to:
• Identify the individuals and entities responsible for the impersonation
• Preserve digital evidence
• Pursue civil and criminal accountability
Given that these vessels were previously deleted following implementation of the Registry’s expanded sanctions policy, the impersonation of the Registry and issuance of forged certificates may constitute an organized attempt to circumvent sanctions-related regulatory and commercial consequences.
Legal and Compliance Implications
The use or circulation of these forged documents may involve:
• Forgery of official government instruments
• Fraudulent misrepresentation of flag status
• Facilitation of sanctions evasion
• Deception of insurers, charterers, financial institutions, and port state authorities
All competent authorities and compliance stakeholders are advised to exercise enhanced scrutiny.
Required Immediate Action
All Recognized Organizations, P&I Clubs, insurers, banks, charterers, brokers, and Port State Control authorities are requested to:
1. Disregard any Certificate of Registry dated 2026 relating to the above vessels.
2. Refuse acceptance of such documents for compliance, insurance, chartering, financial, or port entry purposes.
3. Immediately notify this Administration if such documents are presented.
4. Apply enhanced due diligence measures in connection with these vessels.
Verification Protocol
As of 1 January 2026:
• Only certificates bearing official VISR security features and verified exclusively through www.register-vu.com are authentic.
The Republic of Vanuatu remains fully committed to maintaining the integrity of its maritime registry and to upholding its international compliance obligations through a robust and proactive sanctions framework.
This circular is issued in the interest of transparency, regulatory integrity, and protection of the international maritime system.
Saade Makhlouf
Maritime Administrator
Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR)