Maritime Cook Islands Newsletter: January 2026
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JANUARY EDITION | 2026
KIA ORANA,
As we enter 2026, Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) does so from a position of strengthened oversight, disciplined growth and renewed strategic focus. The past year was not simply a period of operational continuity, but one of deliberate consolidation - reinforcing regulatory standards, refining fleet composition and enhancing international confidence in the Cook Islands flag.
In 2026, MCI will continue to strengthen its overall fleet portfolio - supporting our established yacht community while advancing targeted merchant vessel initiatives in priority markets. The 2026 Merchant Vessel Campaign is anchored in selective growth, regulatory discipline and operational responsiveness, delivered in collaboration with our global partners. This campaign reflects a measured and strategic approach to merchant engagement, ensuring that expansion is supported by strong compliance fundamentals and service capability.
This year, our focus includes:
• Elevating Fleet Quality: Maintaining rigorous entry, monitoring and due diligence standards to ensure vessels flying our flag meet and exceed international obligations.
• Enhancing Digital Services: Continuing to improve registration, certification and verification systems to provide efficient, transparent and responsive support.
• Strengthening Compliance & Safety: Scaling inspection oversight and technical engagement to protect crew welfare, minimise PSC exposure and safeguard the marine environment.
In 2026, MCI will continue investing in its people and technical capability, strengthening engagement across our global network and working closely with vessel owners, managers, seafarers and regulatory partners. A resilient and credible registry is built not only on standards, but on consistency, accountability and trusted relationships.
Meitaki Ma‘ata,
Maritime Cook Islands Management
A LOOK BACK AT 2025
In 2025, Maritime Cook Islands undertook a period of disciplined refinement, prioritising fleet quality, compliance strength and long-term sustainability over short-term volume growth. The Administration oversaw a diverse fleet of 770 vessels, including 665 yachts and 105 merchant vessels, representing over 460,000 gross tons across multiple trading regions.
Over the past 3.5 years, MCI deliberately refined its tanker portfolio, removing 188 vessels that did not meet enhanced sanctions, insurance and compliance standards. This structured reduction was not reactive, but strategic — reinforcing the integrity of the registry and reducing long-term PSC exposure. As a result, the safety and risk profile of the fleet has strengthened considerably.
By October 2025, MCI successfully completed its mandatory IMSAS audit, earning formal recognition from the IMO for its “impressive performance” in implementing international obligations. This outcome reflects the Administration’s continued commitment to transparent governance and robust flag State implementation.
Operational oversight remained proactive throughout the year. Of 47 inspections conducted, 82% of identified deficiencies were detected internally by Flag State Inspectors (FSIs), demonstrating effective risk-based monitoring and early intervention. The remaining tanker portfolio is subject to enhanced daily monitoring and annual due diligence procedures, reinforcing sanctions compliance and insurance verification controls.
The registry recorded zero detentions under the Tokyo MoU in 2025. Paris MoU status remains stable on the Grey List for the 2026 reporting cycle, reflecting rolling historical data rather than recent inspection outcomes. Continued performance improvements are expected to positively influence future reporting cycles.
MCI issued 2,225 endorsements in 2025, supporting 5,481 unique seafarers globally. The 24-hour turnaround for Letters of Acknowledgement (LOA) remains a key operational strength, enabling crew deployment continuity while maintaining verification integrity.
These performance outcomes provide a stable platform for the 2026 Merchant Vessel Campaign and continued support for our yacht segment.
2026 MERCHANT VESSEL CAMPAIGN – WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CLIENTS
The 2026 Merchant Vessel Campaign builds on the strengthened compliance foundation established over recent years. The objective is not rapid expansion, but selective onboarding of compliant, performance-driven tonnage aligned with our inspection capacity and risk management framework.
Key elements of the campaign include:
• Continued onboarding of high-quality merchant vessels in priority markets
• Strengthened Flag State Inspection oversight across key trading regions
• Streamlined certification and endorsement processing
• Transparent sanctions screening and due diligence processes
• Collaborative engagement with our global representatives, owners and operators
For operators, this approach translates into reduced PSC disruption, improved inspection performance, and strengthened charter confidence. Growth remains disciplined and aligned with regulatory credibility.
YACHT SEGMENT - TECHNICAL STRENGTH AND OWNER SUPPORT
While advancing merchant engagement initiatives, MCI remains firmly committed to supporting its established yacht community. The yacht segment continues to represent a core component of the Cook Islands registry, particularly across the EMEA region and key cruising jurisdictions.
In 2026, focus areas for the yacht portfolio include:
• Enhanced technical support for new builds and refits
• Continued oversight of large yacht compliance under evolving SOLAS and Polar Code requirements
• Dedicated survey and technical management expertise within the RTO division
• Responsive certification services tailored to operational flexibility
Our objective remains consistent: to provide yacht owners, managers and captains with a technically competent, accessible and solutions-oriented administration that supports safe operations and international credibility.
LAUNCH OF THE VESSEL VERIFICATION PORTAL
The Cook Islands Maritime Administration is pleased to announce the launch of the Cook Islands Vessel Verification Portal, a transparency-focused digital platform designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and access to official vessel information.
This portal strengthens market confidence by enabling real-time verification of vessels flying the Cook Islands flag, supporting charterers, port authorities and counterparties in conducting due diligence
COOK ISLANDS TO HOST ASA AGM 2026
The Cook Islands is to host the 35th Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) Annual General Meeting from May 24th to 27th, 2026. The summit will bring together global shipping leaders, reinforcing the Cook Islands’ visibility within international maritime governance.
The attendees represent an organisation whose members collectively control approximately 50% of the world’s merchant fleet. This includes shipowners associations from China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and the ASEAN region, representing Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Hosting the ASA AGM strengthens the strategic positioning of the Cook Islands registry and provides an opportunity to engage directly with key merchant stakeholders across Asia-Pacific. As the first South Pacific representative to lead the association, ASA Chairman, Mrs Eleanor Roi, emphasises the strategic importance of this appointment and the upcoming summit:
"I am honoured to serve not only as a representative of the Cook Islands, but as a voice for the Pacific, committed to fostering collaboration and advancing purposeful leadership across our region," Mrs Roi stated. "As we look toward 2026, our focus remains on deepening regional cooperation and driving forward our shared priorities in maritime connectivity, sustainability, and digital transformation.”
By hosting Asia’s most influential shipowners, the Cook Islands secures a critical seat in global maritime governance.
RTO TEAM UPSKILL IN STCW COURSE
On December 2025 the RTO Italian team attended the DNV STCW course in Genoa, Italy , to further strengthen technical expertise and ensure continued alignment with evolving STCW requirements.
The course focuses on Introduction to the chapters of the STCW convention and the Code, Manila Amendments of 2010 to STCW Convention and Code, Certificates arising from STCW, relationship between STCW, MLC and ISM, IMO provisions of safe manning of ships and preparation for flag state and port state inspections.
Ongoing professional development ensures MCI maintains high inspection standards across both merchant and yacht operations.
STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE OUTLOOK: Tokyo and Paris MOU
Performance indicators across both Tokyo and Paris MoU regimes demonstrate continued improvement in detention trends and inspection outcomes. Current list positioning reflects rolling historical data rather than recent performance improvements.
Strategic Refinement
The registry has successfully prioritized high-quality tonnage over fleet volume. By proactively deleting non-compliant vessels, the flag has significantly improved its safety profile, though this reduced inspection volume makes it more challenging to offset historical data in the short term.
Tokyo MOU: Despite achieving zero detentions in 2025, the cumulative 2023–2024 performance still places the registry above the Grey List threshold. Maintaining the current positive trajectory is essential. While securing approximately 20 clean inspections in 2026 is an internal performance target to strengthen our profile in the region, progression toward the Grey List will ultimately depend on sustained inspection quality and detention control over the rolling assessment period.
Paris MOU: The flag remains stable on the Grey List. Notably, strategic oversight has eliminated all bans and MLC-related detentions in 2024 and 2025. While 2025 saw three technical detentions, these were isolated incidents rather than systemic failures.
Positioning for Continued Performance Improvement
MCI remains focused on sustained inspection oversight, risk-based monitoring and disciplined fleet management to support long-term improvement across both regimes. To achieve White List status, the registry is committed to a sustained near-zero detention rate through 2026 and 2027. This period will allow high-detention years (notably 2024 for Tokyo) to rotate out of the three-year window.
By combining rigorous Flag State Inspection (FSI) campaigns with the recruitment of high-performing tonnage, the Cook Islands is well-positioned to consolidate recent gains and elevate its standing within both global regulatory regimes.
MARKET OUTLOOK 2026
The global shipping environment continues to evolve under heightened regulatory scrutiny, sanctions monitoring obligations and accelerating environmental compliance requirements. Charterers and financiers are placing increasing emphasis on flag performance indicators, transparency and demonstrable oversight capability.
Digital verification tools, inspection performance data and compliance track records are now central to operational continuity and commercial competitiveness. In parallel, both merchant operators and yacht owners are navigating more complex regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions.
In this environment, disciplined flag administration and responsive technical support are critical. The Cook Islands registry remains committed to delivering stability, compliance strength and operational reliability for our clients across both merchant and yacht sectors. Our focus remains clear: sustainable growth supported by strong governance and consistent performance outcomes.
STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
CONGRATULATIONS FRANCESCA!
On 22 January 2026, Francesca Caprara, a member of the Maritime Cook Islands MO&C Division, obtained a first-level Master’s degree in Maritime, Port, and Logistics Law at the University of Bologna, Italy.
Her final dissertation included a focused study on the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Francesca’s experience at MCI has enabled her to apply, in a practical context, the legal and regulatory knowledge acquired during her Master’s programme. MCI would like to congratulate Francesca on this achievement.Her advanced expertise further strengthens MCI’s commitment to maritime labour compliance and regulatory excellence.
MCI WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO THE RTO TEAM
We are pleased to announce the addition of two highly skilled professionals to our Regulatory, Technical, and Operational Department this month:
Alfonso De Carolis – Technical Manager (Yachts): A seasoned Naval Architect with extensive expertise in yacht construction, Alfonso joins our yacht team to spearhead new build activities and provide specialized technical assistance.
Niall Grifoni – Surveyor & Technical Manager (Yachts): Also a Naval Architect, Niall brings a strong Classification society background from his time with ABS. His experience in statutory surveys for both existing vessels and new builds will be instrumental in managing our rapidly growing EMEA yacht fleet.
MEET THE TEAM
Behind the Cook Islands flag stands a team dedicated to strengthened oversight and disciplined growth. Each month, we will spotlight key members of our Administration, providing insight into the specialized technical capabilities they offer. These highlights showcase the expertise and accountability required to uphold the standards that define MCI.
MEET MICHAEL VREDENBURG
With over two and a half years at MCI, Michael brings a powerhouse of technical knowledge to our Regulatory, Technical, and Operational (RTO) department, where he serves as the Merchant Technical Manager for the Asia Pacific region. A former marine engineer and commercial diver with a postgraduate degree in maritime policy, Michael handles Port State Control and Flag State
inspections. He originally joined the industry to escape the "office grind" and see the world, and he recently played a vital role in our successful IMSAS audit.
When he isn’t ensuring our fleet meets the highest technical standards, Michael is likely buried in a book or working toward his PhD. He is currently counting down the days until June for a long-awaited reunion with his father and siblings at their family home in Hawaii, who he hasn't seen since 2010!
MEET TIPHANIE PITO
Tiphanie is a cornerstone of the MCI team, boasting an impressive 13 year tenure with the registry. She currently holds a unique hybrid role that bridges two worlds: managing Technical Administration for merchants within the RTO department, while simultaneously serving as a Fleet Manager within the Registration Department. This dual perspective allows her to streamline internal coordination and provide a seamless, consistent experience for our clients across the Asia Pacific region.
Driven by a preference for the complexities of large-scale vessels, Tiphanie thrives on the challenges and constant learning that come with maritime operations. Outside the office, she stays active by working out and recharges by spending quality time with her family.
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