Malta Hosts First Global Meeting of Shipping Registry Compliance Officers

Malta was host to the first international meeting of shipping registry compliance officers, organised by the Valletta-based Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring (GCMSM) in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

The event brought together registry authorities and compliance officers from 37 countries, alongside UN experts, EU representatives and maritime governance specialists, to further strengthen efforts in implementing UN Security Council sanctions across the shipping industry.

Delegates examined systemic vulnerabilities in global shipping registries, including abrupt reflagging, opaque ownership structures, insufficient due diligence, inadequate vessel-history checks and limited monitoring of high-risk behaviour at sea. 

These weaknesses, officials warned, create opportunities for sanctions evasion and undermine the integrity of the rules-based maritime system.

Opening the meeting, deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and tourism, Ian Borg, emphasised Malta’s role as a maritime nation with the sixth-largest ship registry in the world. 

He said Malta was committed to promoting responsible, transparent and law-abiding shipping practices, ensuring its flag is not exploited and that global maritime governance is strengthened. 

“This week’s meeting reaffirms the need for coordinated, multilateral action to address structural vulnerabilities in maritime sanctions compliance. The stability of the global maritime system rests on our collective vigilance. Fragmentation empowers those who operate in the shadows, while cooperation restricts their room to manoeuvre,” said Borg.

Minister for transport, infrastructure and public works, Chris Bonett, highlighted the importance of registries working together to align their approaches. He noted that fragmented compliance practices create vulnerabilities that expose the entire maritime system.

“Recent developments in global shipping have shown that no registry can operate in isolation. Fragmented compliance practices create vulnerabilities that expose the entire maritime system,” said Bonett. “Malta remains committed to upholding the integrity of its register and to working with international partners to strengthen coordination, improve traceability, and close the gaps where evasion risks emerge. Reputation in this sector is a shared asset, and through greater alignment and collaboration between registries, we can safeguard the credibility of the global maritime framework”.

The meeting marked the first time registry compliance officers from around the world have convened to address sanctions enforcement collectively. Organisers said the initiative represents a significant step towards closing loopholes in the global shipping system and ensuring that sanctions regimes are implemented effectively.

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