(Business in Cameroon) – Ukraine has sanctioned three ships flying the flag of Cameroon as part of a list of 56 vessels it says exported goods, primarily Russian wheat, from ports in Russian-annexed Crimea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Nov. 25 targeting ships that exported merchandise from the ports of Sevastopol and Feodosia. The decree was issued on the proposal of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
The sanctioned Cameroon-flagged vessels are the cargo ship Princess Eva, registered in Kribi; the cargo ship USKO MFU, registered in Kribi and Douala; and the cargo ship Cometa Pawell. The measures include an asset freeze, restrictions on commercial operations, transit route limitations, and a ban on using Ukrainian radio frequencies. The sanctions apply for a period of 10 years.
While enacted under Ukrainian sovereignty, the measures have potential extraterritorial reach. They could be adopted or considered by states that have imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, particularly the European Union and other Western bloc countries.
The move is part of Kyiv’s strategy to target commercial flows deemed favorable to Russia’s war effort. Ukraine intends to complicate the use of certain third-country flags for maritime trade.
For Cameroon, the episode highlights ongoing concerns about the international reputation of its shipping registry. The country previously received a “red card” warning from the European Union over alleged laxity in flag issuance related to illegal fishing.
Ships under the Cameroonian flag have also been accused of participating in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports. These instances have fueled criticism regarding the use of the Cameroonian flag in activities at the margins of international regulations.
Under pressure from partners, the Cameroonian government has pledged to clean up the sector by revising procedures for granting its national flag. The stated objective is to better control shipowners who choose the flag and to reduce risks of non-compliance with sanctions regimes and international standards.
Cameroon’s merchant fleet currently comprises 223 ships, representing more than 3 million gross tonnage. Any measure targeting Cameroon-flagged ships could affect the overall perception of the fleet by port state control authorities, insurers, and transport operators.
Ludovic Amara
