What Is a False Flag Vessel, and Why Is the Problem Growing?

AI Summary

A false flag vessel is defined as a ship that broadcasts an unauthorized flag, misleading authorities about its actual registry. This problem is growing as vessels transmit incorrect AIS data that is not recognized by the claimed country's maritime authority.

What Is a False Flag Vessel? A false flag vessel is a ship that broadcasts the flag of a country whose maritime administration has not authorized the vessel to fly it. The vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmits a country identifier that is either not recognized by that country’s official registry, or is issued by ...