Tonga

Tonga’s international shipping registry was terminated in 2002. Since that date, Tonga has not operated an international registry nor authorised any third party to act as a registration agent. No foreign-owned ship is entitled to fly the Tongan flag. Any foreign ship flying the flag of Tonga does so without Tonga’s consent and should be considered stateless under international law, as it lacks valid nationality.

In January 2026, the Government of Tonga formally informed the IMO of this position. The information was circulated through IMO Circular Letter No.5112. As of February 2026, 13 tankers were fraudulently flying the Tonga flag (average tonnage 67,326 GT).