In a circular distributed to all IMO members this week, the Kyrgyz government said it had “not granted any authorization to any legal entity or individual” to register, represent, operate or use seagoing ships under the Kyrgyz flag. Any registration or operation carried out without the official approval of Kyrgyz state authorities should therefore be regarded as unauthorised and have no legal consequences for the country, the government warned. The communication is dated July 30 and was circulated by the IMO on August 18.

Kyrgyzstan only became an IMO member in February 2024, becoming the organisation’s 176th member state.

Since then Bishkek has moved quickly to establish itself in the flag state business despite being thousands of kilometres from the sea.

President SadyrJaparov signed the country’s new Merchant Shipping Code earlier this year. The legislation creates the framework for an international ship register, with Bishek designated as the port of registry to be displayed on vessels’ sterns. The code is due to enter into force six months after publication.     The registry was meant be overseen through a new maritime administration and a national operator. Local media reported in April that a private company called Maritime Register had been selected as the national operator of the maritime register of the Kyrgyz Republic. Its responsibilities include vessel registration, certification and ensuring compliance with international maritime standards. Whether this corporate entity is still entrusted with handling the flag remains unclear.   Kyrgyzstan is not the first landlocked state to seek a foothold in maritime registries. Mongolia has operated a ship registry for years and joined the IMO in 1996. San Marino, another landlocked state, opened its register to international shipowners in 2021.