# The really bad FOCs **URL:** \ **Category:** Marine Safety\ **Created:** [March 17, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648 "2023-03-17T13:02:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/1 "2023-03-17T13:02:55Z")
There are FOCs near the top of White List in MoUs and then there are the one’s at the bottom of just about any list (except cheap). Now there will be a crackdown in the Med: > **[Vessels registered to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone and Togo targeted...](https://splash247.com/vessels-registered-to-the-cook-islands-palau-sierra-leone-and-togo-targeted-in-med-substandard-shipping-crackdown/)** > > Up to 1,000 ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of inspectors from the... Here are some in the last category: [https://www.maritimecookislands.com/](https://www.maritimecookislands.com/) [https://www.palaureg.com/](https://www.palaureg.com/) [https://slmarad.com/](https://slmarad.com/) [https://www.togoregistrar.com/about](https://www.togoregistrar.com/about) ---
**Author:** ![BrownWaterGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/brownwaterguy/32/4787_2.png) [@BrownWaterGuy](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BrownWaterGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/2 "2023-03-18T17:04:22Z")
Some of these registries use their ROs as agents who steer the owners to the flag. Personally this reeks of a potential conflict of interest and combined with an Administration that is not interested in actively engaging in oversight it is a situation where one can easily see why they are on the various black lists. ---
**Author:** ![Urs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/958977/32.png) [@Urs](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Urs)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/3 "2023-03-18T18:15:02Z")
I do not think that someone is steering owners to these flags. Owners who cannot register ships in serious flag states, for whatever reason, search these flags. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/4 "2023-03-19T13:09:12Z")
More details on the reasons behind the actions in the Med: > **[ITF targets four worst flags in bid to scrap unsafe shipping from...](https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-targets-four-worst-flags-in-bid-scrap-unsafe-shipping-mediterranean-sea)** > > Up to a thousand ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of inspectors from... Status on Paris and Tokyo MoUs: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/b/4/b4237e4a2daced08746b0054523a50c0b2807a83.png) ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/5 "2023-03-19T13:27:27Z")
The latest Paris MoU lists: > **[Paris%20MoU%20Press%20Release%20Performance%20Lists.pdf](https://www.parismou.org/sites/default/files/Paris%20MoU%20Press%20Release%20Performance%20Lists.pdf)** > > 235.69 KB The latest Tokyo MoU lists: > **[Flag%20performance%20list%202021.pdf](https://www.tokyo-mou.org/doc/Flag%20performance%20list%202021.pdf)** > > 110.46 KB USCG Qualship 21 Initiativ: [https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Commercial-Vessel-Compliance/Foreign-Offshore-Compliance-Division/Port-State-Control/QS21/](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Commercial-Vessel-Compliance/Foreign-Offshore-Compliance-Division/Port-State-Control/QS21/) USCG Targeted Flag States: [https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Commercial-Vessel-Compliance/Foreign-Offshore-Compliance-Division/Port-State-Control/targetedflags/](https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Commercial-Vessel-Compliance/Foreign-Offshore-Compliance-Division/Port-State-Control/targetedflags/) ---
**Author:** ![BrownWaterGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/brownwaterguy/32/4787_2.png) [@BrownWaterGuy](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BrownWaterGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/6 "2023-03-20T00:51:36Z")
> [@Urs](#): > > I do not think that someone is steering owners to these flags. > Owners who cannot register ships in serious flag states, for whatever reason, search these flags. I know an owner personally who changed the flag of his vessels from Panama to one of the ones listed in the headline. He told me that is exactly what happened. His class society pushed a particular flag and eventually sold him on it. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/7 "2023-03-20T13:16:04Z")
> [@BrownWaterGuy](#): > > His class society pushed a particular flag and eventually sold him on it. Did he say which Classification Society that may be? There are a lot to choose from if you look at the lower rung of the ranking: > **[ro-performance.pdf](https://www.deutsche-flagge.de/de/redaktion/dokumente/dokumente-sonstige/ro-performance.pdf)** > > 464.38 KB There are some “fly-by-night” operations that aren’t even listed here. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/8 "2023-03-20T14:58:52Z")
Maybe adding Cameroon to the list of really bad FOCs?: > **[Cameroon’s role in the fast-growing dark fleet exposed - Splash247](https://splash247.com/cameroons-role-in-the-fast-growing-dark-fleet-exposed/)** > > S&P Global Market Intelligence has become the latest firm to put a figure on the scale of the so-called dark fleet, the growing list of ships operating in contravention of sanctions in place against countries such as Iran, Venezuela and Russia.... ---
**Author:** ![PDCMATE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2acd7d/32.png) [@PDCMATE](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PDCMATE)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/9 "2023-03-20T16:53:18Z")
I would trust @BrownWaterGuy, he knows the Flag game. I have seen many RO’s (usually non-IACS) as well as Legal Firms and 3rd party advisors push clients to certain Flags, because they also get a finders fee (% of tonnage tax) for that intro and registration. ---
**Author:** ![BrownWaterGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/brownwaterguy/32/4787_2.png) [@BrownWaterGuy](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BrownWaterGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/10 "2023-03-21T00:18:54Z")
It was not one on that list although maybe included in “other”. It was one which a PSC inspector told me they were not allowed to write deficiencies to be rectified by that class society because they had zero trust in them. That is actually a fairly short list I believe of class societies/ROs. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/11 "2023-10-11T13:10:14Z")
> **[Cameroon-flagged dark tanker adrift off Indonesia - Splash247](https://splash247.com/cameroon-flagged-dark-tanker-adrift-off-indonesia/)** > > A 26-year-old oil tanker, part of the shadow fleet hauling Russian crude, is currently adrift in the Indian Ocean. As first reported by Bloomberg, the 106,547 dwt aframax tanker is located some 300 km west of Aceh, Indonesia, and is signalling that... Latest position according to Marine Traffic: > **[Ship TURBA (Crude Oil Tanker) Registered in Cameroon - Vessel details,...](https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:476064/mmsi:613003728/imo:9144782/vessel:TURBA)** > > Vessel TURBA is a Crude Oil Tanker, Registered in Cameroon. Discover the vessel's particulars, including capacity, machinery, photos and ownership. Get the details of the current Voyage of TURBA including Position, Port Calls, Destination, ETA and... This is just one of many oldish tankers in the "dark fleet: > **[shipbreaking69.pdf](https://robindesbois.org/wp-content/uploads/shipbreaking69.pdf)** > > 11.78 MB > [@](#): > > Turba (ex-Pelican, ex-Mera Q, ex-Omera Queen, ex-Okeanis, ex-Nissos Milos). IMO 9144782. 26 years. > Length 243 m, 106,547 t deadweight. Cameroon flag. Classification society until January 2021 Bureau > Veritas; unknown or no classification society since. Built in 1997 in Tsu (Japan) par NKK. Since > Decembrer 2020, her owner was the aptly-named Shadow Shiptrade SA registered in the Marshall Islands. Acquired in July 2022 by Seychelles-registered Scoot Chartering corp. As a cause for concern, she has not been inspected in a port since June 2010. In 2022 she was spotted in the Russian ports of St Petersburg, Primorsk and Ust-Luga, and in the Chinese ports of Zoushan and Tianjin. She left Ust-Luga on March 13, 2023 and was spotted at anchorage off Singapore in early May. By June 21, she was in Chinese waters. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/12 "2023-10-11T13:19:57Z")
Where does the STS operations between “dark fleet” tankers take place?: > **[Egypt emerges as new hub for Russian oil transfers - Splash247](https://splash247.com/egypt-emerges-as-new-hub-for-russian-oil-transfers/)** > > A new hub is emerging for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Russian oil. In the shadow tanker game of whac-a-mole where some areas make headlines and then fade from view, Israeli maritime artificial intelligence firm Windward has identified an area... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/13 "2023-10-12T11:49:26Z")
She is moving again: > **[Struggling dark tanker limps towards Singapore - Splash247](https://splash247.com/struggling-dark-tanker-limps-towards-singapore/)** > > The 106,547 dwt aframax tanker , part of the shadow fleet hauling Russian crude, has started moving after being “dead in the water” for two days. According to Bloomberg and satellite tracking data available to them, the tanker has started moving at a... PS\> When inspecting old ships, seeing two black balls ready to hoist laying on monkey island, is a sure sign of engine problems. ---
**Author:** ![spowiednick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/spowiednick/32/35668_2.png) [@spowiednick](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/spowiednick)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 8:03am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/14 "2023-10-14T08:03:09Z")
quote: Israeli maritime artificial intelligence firm end quote I am wondering if Israeli artificial inteligence was also tracking Hamas movements and preps for attack ? If so, we can argue , that artificial intelligence will not free humanity from errors. Just saying ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/15 "2023-10-14T21:22:12Z")
More business for tankers in the Dark Fleet and the shadowy owners and managers that operate them?: > **[Russia: Dark Fleet Shows 8% Growth in Q3 | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide](https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/russia-dark-fleet-shows-8-growth-in-q3/)** PS\> Not all are registered by “really bad FOCs”. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/16 "2023-10-17T21:09:31Z")
> **[Non-Western tankers ship majority of Russian crude as G7 struggles to enforce...](https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/101223-non-western-tankers-ship-majority-of-russian-crude-as-g7-struggles-to-enforce-price-cap)** > > Non Western tankers take majority of Russian crude exports Calls for tougher enforcement, curbs on gray fleet growth Tight oil market may prevent changes from status quo Three fifths of Russia's seabo ---
**Author:** ![spowiednick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/spowiednick/32/35668_2.png) [@spowiednick](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/spowiednick)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/17 "2023-10-22T12:48:47Z")
Seeing is believing ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/2/6/2654f63b426108ffc4f80a5ab9f6277b406b2881.png) [Maritime Law of Mongolia.pdf](https://forum.gcaptain.com/uploads/short-url/aHW9nmrmw9lberreKOYknxLDbJr.pdf) (223.7 KB) ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/18 "2023-10-22T20:07:47Z")
Yes there are ships registered with home port Ulaanbaatar and flying the flag of Mongolia. The registry is managed from Singapore, however: > **[Mongolia Ship Registry | Singapore | SG | AIS Marine Traffic](https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/maritime-companies/profile/58177/company_name:mongolia%20ship%20registry)** > > Flag Administration | Mongolia Ship Registry in New Bridge Road 133 Singapore Singapore Singapore | Contact details and activities | Business Directory of MarineTraffic ---
**Author:** ![spowiednick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/spowiednick/32/35668_2.png) [@spowiednick](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/spowiednick)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/19 "2023-10-22T22:30:57Z")
so it looks like they followed in the steps of 2 other flags , namely Marshal Islands and Liberia aping the idea of domiciling/ setting legal residence of this business in a country of good maritime reputation. Smart move. Quite interesting clip coming from Dr.Sal on the issue. [(141) Shifty Shades of Grey | G7 Crackdown On The Dark Fleet | The Dark Fleet - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_oa8K1iD0g) ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 10:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648/20 "2023-10-25T10:32:21Z")
Another Ship Register that is managed from Singapore: > **[Tuvalu warns of fraudulent ship registry website - Splash247](https://splash247.com/tuvalu-warns-of-fraudulent-ship-registry-website/)** > > The government of Tuvalu has sent a letter to the secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in which it stated that a fraudulent website was offering shipping registry services on behalf of the island nation. The letter,... > **[The Grid | Southeast Asia & ANZ Sales Intelligence Platform](https://sgpgrid.com/company-details/ccma-pte-ltd)** > > Discover new prospects with The Grid, the leading Sales Intelligence platform for Southeast Asia & ANZ. Leverage B2B data and signals to supercharge sales. PS\> Don’t know much about this register, nor the management company. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/the-really-bad-focs/65648.md?page=2)