Maritime Cook Island has issued a circular 312/2025 which restricts Cook Island flagged vessel to operate in Baltic Sea due evolving operational and regulatory challenges, including heightened risks of damage to coastal states critical infrastructures posed by accidental technical failures, and prospective changes in coastal state legislation that may alter the accepted interpretation of international maritime law, leading to unforeseen enforcement actions against vessels operating in the region.
Summary
Maritime Cook Islands is conducting a comprehensive review of its policies regarding tankers operations in the Baltic Sea.
This decision is driven by evolving operational and regulatory challenges, including heightened risks of damage to coastal states critical infrastructures posed by accidental technical failures, and prospective changes in coastal state legislation that may alter the accepted interpretation of international maritime law, leading to unforeseen enforcement actions against vessels operating in the region.
Temporary Suspension of Operations
Effective 29th March 2025, Maritime Cook Islands will require all its registered tankers to suspend operations within or through the Baltic Sea, until further notice.
Required Actions for Affected Vessels
Any registered tanker with planned activities within or through the Baltic Sea, beyond 29th March 2025 must notify Maritime Cook Islands immediately.
Maritime Cook Islands will assess requests for grace periods or extensions on a case-by-case basis, for tankers that require additional time to complete trade operations in the region.
Further updates will be provided as necessary. Vessel owners and operators are advised to ensure compliance with this directive.