Ships without nationality

Stateless vessels present significant legal and operational issues, often functioning as platforms for illegal activities beyond any single State’s control. This chapter examines the concept of statelessness in maritime law, detailing how vessels become stateless either de jure (due to lack of proper registration) or de facto (due to losing their nationality). It discusses the legal implications of statelessness and the broader jurisdictional authority to intercept and prosecute these vessels. The chapter reviews case law and enforcement actions related to drug trafficking, IUU fishing and human smuggling. It highlights vulnerabilities in Flag State regulation, such as flags of convenience and fraudulent registration practices. Additionally, it focuses on multilateral efforts to enhance accountability, standardize legal frameworks and improve procedures for confirming vessel nationality. The phenomenon of ships without nationality remains both a jurisdictional challenge and an enforcement opportunity.