The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia [MTA] takes note of the new sanctions announced by the United Kingdom in June 2026, under which the vessel SILVAR (IMO 9291262) has been included on the list of sanctioned entities.

“The vessel was present at the Port of Kulevi in February 2026. At the time of its call and operations in Georgia, the vessel was not subject to sanctions imposed by the UK, the European Union, the United States, or the United Nations.

Accordingly, it is unclear why Georgia has been referenced in the information disseminated by the British Embassy, given that no international sanctions were in force against the vessel at the time of its entry into and operation within Georgia, and all competent Georgian authorities acted in full compliance with applicable national legislation and international obligations.

Prior to the vessel’s arrival in Georgia, the competent Georgian authorities carried out comprehensive multi-layered sanctions and legal compliance checks in accordance with applicable legislation and established procedures. These checks identified no active international sanctions or legal restrictions against the vessel, its owner, operator, or any other associated parties.

During the relevant period, SILVAR was sailing under the flag of Panama, held a valid class certificate issued by Lloyd’s Register (United Kingdom), maintained valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) and Hull & Machinery insurance cover, and had fully identified registered ownership and technical management arrangements.

It is particularly noteworthy that on 5 December 2025 the vessel underwent a Port State Control (PSC) inspection under the Paris MoU regime in the Skagen anchorage area of the Kingdom of Denmark. The inspection resulted in only four minor deficiencies being recorded and the vessel was not detained, confirming its compliance with applicable international maritime safety and technical oversight requirements.

The vessel’s trading history further demonstrates that it operated on ordinary international commercial shipping routes and called at a range of European, Asian and African ports and anchorages, including Malta, Denmark (Skagen), Egypt, Malaysia, India, China and other destinations.

The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia reiterates that the entry of any vessel into Georgian ports is subject to rigorous legal, sanctions-compliance and security controls.

Georgia neither serves nor will serve as a platform for the circumvention of international sanctions. All decisions are taken solely on the basis of the legal and factual circumstances applicable at the relevant point in time under international law and practice.

The effectiveness of international sanctions regimes is founded upon the principles of legal certainty and temporal applicability. It is therefore inappropriate to assess the activities of a vessel or company on the basis of sanctions that were imposed several months after the vessel’s presence and operations in Georgia”, - reads the statement of MTA.