Shipwrecks, Sham Papers and False Flags: Tracking the Company Behind It All

Bellingcat reports that entities linked to Captain Suniel Kumar Sharma have continued issuing fraudulent vessel flag and classification certificates—most notably via the International Maritime Safety Agency of Guyana (IMSAG)—well after Guyana terminated its agreement in 2021, enabling aging and sanctioned tankers to operate under false flags; cases include the Basra Star wreck in India, the Eolika ammunition seizure in Senegal, and the Nora and Rcelebra ship-to-ship transfer off Malaysia. The investigation also surfaces a new Nicaragua-themed registry (NIATA) and related fronts (Nautilus Register, Nautilus Times) tied to Sharma’s Oceaniek Technologies, none recognized by the IMO, illustrating a broader network facilitating oversight evasion.