Press Release MV Lian Star

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GAMBIA MARITIME ADMINISTRATION CLARIFIES FACTS REGARDING M/V LIAN STAR INCIDENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

 8 June 2026, Banjul, The Gambia 

The Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA) wishes to provide factual clarification regarding recent reports and public commentary concerning the vessel M/V LIAN STAR (IMO 9072692), a vessel registered under the Gambian flag.

According to official records maintained by the GMA, the vessel was initially issued a Provisional Certificate of Registry on 26th May, 2025 and subsequently received a Permanent Certificate of Registry on 30th March, 2026, valid until 30th March, 2031. The vessel’s registration was granted in accordance with applicable national legislation and internationally recognized maritime registration procedures.

Available documentation, including registry certificates, port clearance records, voyage documentation, and reports submitted by the vessel’s Master, indicate that M/V LIAN STAR was engaged in a legitimate commercial voyage. The vessel departed Umm Qasr, Iraq, on 13 April 2026 for Karachi, Pakistan, where it loaded a cargo of bagged rice intended for delivery back to Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The GMA has reviewed the information currently available and notes that the vessel’s declared and documented destination throughout the voyage remained Iraq. The Master and crew have consistently maintained that the vessel was not destined for, nor intended to call at, any port in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Furthermore, reports received from the vessel indicate that the incident in question occurred approximately 10 nautical miles from the Fujairah anchorage area, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Based on the information presently available, the incident did not occur within Iranian territorial waters.

The Gambia Maritime Administration wishes to emphasize that, as a Flag State Administration, its role is to ensure that vessels registered under the Gambian flag comply with applicable international maritime conventions, safety standards, and registration requirements.

The Gambia Maritime Administration further wishes to clarify that, based on the information currently available to the Administration, M/V LIAN STAR is not a sanctioned vessel. The GMA has not received any official notification from competent international authorities indicating that the vessel is subject to international sanctions restrictions.

The matter at hand arises from unforeseen circumstances and bears no relation whatsoever to the flagship or registration of any vessel. 

Accordingly, the GMA respectfully urges the public, media outlets, and commentators to rely on verified information while relevant inquiries continue. Attempts to imply wrongdoing by The Gambia Maritime Administration would not accurately reflect the facts currently available regarding the vessel, its voyage, or the Administration’s regulatory role.

The Government of The Gambia and the Gambia Maritime Administration remain firmly committed to upholding international maritime law, promoting safe and lawful shipping practices, and cooperating fully with relevant international partners and maritime authorities whenever required.

END
For further information, please contact:
Communication Unit
Gambia Maritime Administration, Banjul, The Gambia