The Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA) has issued a strong rebuttal to recent media reports claiming that four Gambian-registered ships detained in Chinese ports are part of a “dark fleet” involved in illicit activities. The reports, originally published by Lloyd’s List under the title “Gambia’s dark fleet gambit sees detentions and sanctions surge” and later replicated by The Gambia Journal and other local outlets, have been labeled by GMA as a “deliberate and coordinated campaign” to tarnish the country’s growing ship registry and discourage ship owners from partnering with The Gambia.
The controversy stems from articles published on March 21 and April 2, 2025, which alleged that Gambian-flagged oil tankers faced a “surge in detentions and sanctions” due to safety and environmental violations. GMA clarified that the ships in question were held for routine Port State Control (PSC) inspections—a standard procedure conducted globally to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The administration emphasized that such inspections are not unique to Gambian vessels and are also regularly performed on foreign ships at the Port of Banjul.
“PSC inspections are a safety net, not sanctions,” GMA stated, dismissing any suggestion that the detained ships were involved in criminal activity or arrested. “Sanctions are political tools used by powerful states, whereas PSC inspections are technical enforcement measures applied universally.” The administration noted that the ships were detained to address defects, a common outcome of PSC checks, and were not linked to any illegal operations.
GMA accused *Lloyd’s List* of biased reporting, pointing out that the outlet sought the administration’s input only in 2022—when The Gambia’s registry included just five provisionally registered ships—but failed to consult GMA for subsequent stories since 2023. “This violates every ethic of objective reporting,” the administration argued, suggesting that the coverage may be an attempt to pressure GMA into enlisting *Lloyd’s List* services for “verifiable information” despite alternative providers being available.
Addressing claims that it overlooks unfit ships, GMA highlighted its rigorous due diligence processes, revealing that it has rejected numerous vessels that failed to meet its enhanced registration standards. “Registration of those ships would have multiplied the total tonnage of The Gambia Ship Register many folds,” the statement read, underscoring the administration’s commitment to quality over quantity. GMA also collaborates with international class surveyors and local experts to ensure compliance with maritime laws.
The administration urged media outlets to verify information directly with GMA to avoid misinformation and reaffirmed its dedication to maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. “We maintain an open-door policy and encourage engagement on matters of maritime administration,” GMA concluded, thanking stakeholders for their support in fulfilling its mandate.
The detained ships remain under scrutiny in Chinese ports, but GMA insists this is a routine matter and does not reflect systemic failure.
