The Cook Islands are under increased scrutiny regarding vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” with ongoing concerns raised by the New Zealand government. Official documents obtained by RNZ Pacific indicate that New Zealand officials have repeatedly criticized the Cook Islands for their sluggish response to these concerns, which have emerged since early 2025.
Communications between New Zealand’s High Commission in Rarotonga and Cook Islands authorities reveal that issues surrounding sanctioned vessels have been ongoing since April of the previous year. In May, the New Zealand Sanctions Unit took action by issuing a formal notice in June, but a subsequent update in August indicated that no additional vessels flagged in the Cook Islands had been sanctioned.
As of now, three vessels remain registered under the Cook Islands flag that have been sanctioned, including the controversial yacht Eagle S, which is associated with a Russian oligarch, and a crude oil tanker recently sanctioned by the United States for its connections to Iranian oil. While Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) maintains that only two of these vessels are affected by sanctions, New Zealand officials note ongoing concerns about several ships.
Regular meetings between New Zealand and Cook Islands officials demonstrate New Zealand’s dedication to minimizing legal and reputational risks. Although there was initial optimism in May regarding the Cook Islands’ handling of these issues, a formal communication from New Zealand identified 13 vessels as high-risk for involvement with dark fleet activities.
The yacht Eagle S has become particularly contentious, especially after its involvement in severing a subsea cable in the Baltic Sea, which led Finland to scrutinize the ship inspection processes of the Cook Islands. Despite the Cook Islands’ claims that the vessel had not been sanctioned, the European Union implemented sanctions soon after, although Eagle S remained listed in the registry at Finland’s request due to ongoing legal matters.
By late 2025, there have been signs of improvement, with the Cook Islands beginning to more effectively address the situation. Correspondence from October highlighted MCI’s swift action in deregistering newly sanctioned vessels, representing a notable shift in the Cook Islands’ approach to managing these complex issues. Over the past three and a half years, reports indicate the removal of 188 vessels from their registry.
While challenges in the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand persist, particularly regarding trust and communication, the actions taken to deregister sanctioned vessels reflect a promising commitment to resolving these concerns and suggest a potential path toward improved relations and compliance in maritime governance.