Flag-Hopping Hits Extreme Levels as African Registries Surge Amid Sanctions Pressure
Flag-hopping and false registries hit unprecedented levels as African flags surge — Benin’s tonnage grows nearly 50,000% in 2025.

Afif Efendy, 37, a crew member of the KM. Putri Ayu, was rescued on Wednesday, December 11th, after three days adrift at sea following alleged abuse aboard the fishing vessel.
Efendy reported enduring physical assault, threats, and excessive work hours during a 17-day fishing expedition from Jepara. On the final day, he was forced to jump overboard under knife-point threats from two senior crew members. Wearing a life jacket, he survived three days at sea before being rescued by the SIKINOS (IMO 9967639) and later evacuated by the KN. P 349 patrol vessel.