Dubai: Philtex (Belize) Ltd has had its management contract for the Tanzania Zanzibar International Register of Shipping (TZIRS) terminated by the government of Zanzibar.
The premature contract termination comes two years after Philtex was accused of registering Iranian vessels under the Tanzanian flag illegally, despite US and EU trade snactions against Iran.
UAE-based Philtex had an exclusive 10-year deal, inked in 2007, to manage the registry.
Its contract was terminated as of October 13, 2014.
Zanzibar government officials say the Zanzibar Maritime Authority is setting up an administrative office to manage TZIRS in Sharjah, UAE, supported in marketing by Alkhaleej Industries FZE, UAE.
Ships registered under the TZIRS flag are now required to report to the Zanzibar Maritime Authority within two months.
Last year, Philtex told the Zanzibar government it had deregistered 33 Iranian oil tankers, mostly owned by Iran National Oil Company. [27/11/14]
