Georgian Maritime Transport Agency: no basis for Georgia’s inclusion in UK Embassy’s vessel-related statement

The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia on Tuesday said that it was unclear why Georgia was referenced in information disseminated by the United Kingdom Embassy, given that the vessel SILVAR (IMO 9291262) entered and operated in Georgia in February 2026, before any UK sanctions were imposed in June 2026.

The Agency noted that at the time of the vessel’s call at the Port of Kulevi in February 2026, it was not subject to sanctions from the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, or the United Nations.

“The vessel was present at the Port of Kulevi in February 2026. At the time of its call and operations in Georgia, the vessel was not subject to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, or the United Nations. Accordingly, it is unclear why Georgia has been referenced in the information disseminated by the British Embassy, given that no international sanctions were in force against the vessel at the time of its entry into and operation within Georgia, and all competent Georgian authorities acted in full compliance with applicable national legislation and international obligations”, the Agency said.

The Maritime Transport Agency further noted that comprehensive multi-layered sanctions and legal compliance checks were carried out by Georgian authorities in accordance with applicable legislation and procedures, and no restrictions were identified.

“Prior to the vessel’s arrival in Georgia, the competent Georgian authorities carried out comprehensive multi-layered sanctions and legal compliance checks in accordance with applicable legislation and established procedures. These checks identified no active international sanctions or legal restrictions against the vessel, its owner, operator, or any other associated parties. During the relevant period, SILVAR was sailing under the flag of Panama, held a valid class certificate issued by Lloyd’s Register (United Kingdom), maintained valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) and Hull & Machinery insurance cover, and had fully identified registered ownership and technical management arrangements”, the statement noted.

“It is particularly noteworthy that on 5 December 2025 the vessel underwent a Port State Control (PSC) inspection under the Paris MoU regime in the Skagen anchorage area of the Kingdom of Denmark. The inspection resulted in only four minor deficiencies being recorded and the vessel was not detained, confirming its compliance with applicable international maritime safety and technical oversight requirements. The vessel’s trading history further demonstrates that it operated on ordinary international commercial shipping routes and called at a range of European, Asian and African ports and anchorages, including Malta, Denmark (Skagen), Egypt, Malaysia, India, China and other destinations”, the Agency continued.

The Agency stressed that Georgia did not and would not serve as a platform for circumventing international sanctions.

“The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia reiterates that the entry of any vessel into Georgian ports is subject to rigorous legal, sanctions-compliance and security controls. Georgia neither serves nor will serve as a platform for the circumvention of international sanctions. All decisions are taken solely on the basis of the legal and factual circumstances applicable at the relevant point in time under international law and practice”, the statement said.

The Agency also noted that decisions were based solely on the legal and factual circumstances at the relevant time.

“The effectiveness of international sanctions regimes is founded upon the principles of legal certainty and temporal applicability. It is therefore inappropriate to assess the activities of a vessel or company on the basis of sanctions that were imposed several months after the vessel’s presence and operations in Georgia”, the statement concluded.