THE Cook Islands flag registry has been removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact, an agreement signed by leading registries to help curb sanctions-busting ploys such as ‘flag hopping’.

The removal was the result of a breach of the compact’s policy and was officially communicated to the Cook Islands earlier this month, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Lloyd’s List. 

The RISC platform is a database for flag registries to share details about vessels they have deflagged so other members are aware of any history of illicit conduct. This, in theory, is aimed at preventing vessels removed from one registry over sanctionable activity to quickly move to the next one, a practice known as flag hopping.

However, the compact also creates conditions that allow certain registries with a higher risk appetite to essentially use RISC as a shopping list, scooping up tonnage ejected by their competitors to grow their fleets.

The database was formally launched in August 2024 in a joint press conference in Washington DC, with representatives from other RISC members and the US State Department.

“The establishment of this database by the RISC member registries aims to reduce flag-hopping operations of vessels involved in sanction evasion activities,” the US Embassy of Panama said in a press release announcing the compact’s formal launch in August 2024.

“Under this international agreement, when a flag registry begins a sanction process against a vessel, cancels a registration or denies the registration of a vessel due to a sanctionable activity, that office will immediately notify the other members of the details of the vessel. A description of the sanctionable activity will also be included to share the identity of vessels, companies, or groups engaging in these illicit practices.”

RISC’s founding members include Liberia, Marshall Islands and Panama. There are understood to be a total of 13 members, excluding Cook Islands.

Maritime Cook Islands, the organisation managing the registry on behalf of the Cook Islands government, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The registries of Liberia and Marshall Islands did not respond to requests for comment. Panama referred Lloyd’s List to RISC, which did not respond by the time of publication.

While membership of RISC is voluntary, the compact has gained widespread support and scrutiny from western governments with sanctions targeting Russian and Iranian shipping.

In its most recent sanctions guidance, published last month, the UK government signalled membership and participation in RISC as part of its best practice guidance to industry.

“This collaborative approach establishes a strong network for sharing crucial information and collectively enhancing sanctions compliance efforts in the industry,” read the guidance, which urged all flag administrations to regularly exchange information with both the IMO and parties within RISC.