RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS – 14 November 2025 – Consistent with Cook Islands Government policy, Maritime Cook Islands (MCI), as the Administrator of the Cook Islands Ship Registry monitors and enforces sanctions compliance 

MCI requires all Cook Islands-flagged vessels to comply with UN, OFAC, UK and EU sanctions.

Cook Islands-registered tankers are prohibited from trading in Russian, Iranian, or Venezuelan petroleum or petroleum-products.

This prohibition includes trade in such products with other vessels. 

The prohibition forms part of MCI’s vessel monitoring framework to detect and prevent association with sanctioned vessels, entities, and deceptive shipping practices.

Vessels, owners and managers not in compliance with these prohibitions will be de-registered. MCI will also investigate any vessels, owners, managers, or associated entities with demonstrable links to prohibited activity, and will remove them from the registry where such links are confirmed.

Source: Press Release