The Netherlands' continued refusal to allow national shipowners to hire privately contracted armed security personnel is leaving some with little choice but to switch registries.
Sierra Leone and Moldova, identified along with Tanzania and Tuvalu as flag states having been approached by Iranian shipping companies, have confirmed they have delisted all Iranian vessels.
Upon discovery that the National Iranian Tanker Company has reflagged some of its vessels with Tanzania and Tuvalu, the US has taken action in urging the registries to drop the vessels.
Within the context of international sanctions deadlines, Iran is once again concealing its identity by elusive movement through the open registry system.
