Tanzanian president John Magufuli has issued an order to suspend the registration of foreign vessels in Tanzania after ships flying the Tanzanian flag were involved in drug trafficking, AFP reports.
The country has started investigations into 470 vessels currently registered to the flag to check if their activities are above board.
“We cannot allow the name of our country to be tarnished by individuals pursuing their selfish interests,” Magufuli said.
Last week, Tanzania withdrew flags from two vessels involved in the transporting of drugs and arms.
The Tanzanian flag was listed as the second worst in the world in Paris MOU’s latest White, Grey and Black List report, which ranks the quality of shipping flags. The report also considered the Tanzanian flag as high risk.
