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Global top 10 marine fuels supplier, Monjasa, has reflagged the first of an expected three United Arab Emirates-based tankers from the Liberian registry to the UAE flag.

The official reflagging of Monjasa Shaker (9,600 dwt) took place on 9 April 2026 during a scheduled drydocking campaign at Dubai Maritime City. The reflagging reflects Monjasa’s long-term operational focus in the UAE and is carried out under the country’s new maritime law framework, supporting ambitions to further strengthen the national shipping registry.

“It also reflects our strong connection to the country following 20 years of maritime operations in the Emirates”

Monjasa is primarily engaged in cabotage shipping between key UAE ports, including Dubai, Fujairah and Abu Dhabi.

Among first international shipowners flying the UAE flag

With this move, Monjasa is among the first international shipowners to place tanker tonnage under the UAE flag. The company thereby strengthens its technical and operational alignment with regional requirements as one of the region’s largest marine fuels suppliers.

“Reflagging Monjasa Shaker to the UAE registry supports our core operations in the region, where our fleet serves customers daily across multiple UAE ports. It also reflects our strong connection to the country following 20 years of maritime operations in the Emirates,” says Anders Østergaard, Group CEO.

Two additional tankers to follow

Monjasa acquired Monjasa Shaker in 2022, and this reflagging marks the beginning of a broader transition involving two other fully owned tankers, Monjasa Server (9,600 dwt) and Monjasa Shipper (7,991 dwt). Both vessels are scheduled to be reflagged to the UAE registry during next planned surveys.

Flying the UAE flag offers several operational advantages for vessels trading domestically, including close collaboration with national maritime authorities and quality oversight tailored to regional operating conditions.

Back in operation in the Arabian Gulf

The current drydocking campaign at Dubai Maritime City, carried out at Damen Albwardy shipyard, includes a 3rd class renewal expected to be finalised this month. This has included, among other things, deck and engine overhauls, as well as complete hull blasting, repainting and advanced coating to support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance ahead of her next voyages.

The Middle East & Africa region represents 33% of Monjasa’s total supply volume of 6.8 million tonnes of marine fuels annually. Overall, Monjasa operates a fleet of 28 owned and chartered tankers worldwide.

Facts about Monjasa Shaker

•  Type: Oil and chemical tanker
•  Year built: 2009
•  Dwt: 9,600
•  LOA: 118 metres
•  Beam: 19 metres

With the ambition to bring the education of seafarers closer to the core business, global oil and shipping group, Monjasa, now sets a new course in their approach to crewing.  

The Monjasa Group recently expanded further into crew management, including both officers and cadets, through its technical ship management sister company, Montec.

Monjasa experiences an overall global shortage of skilled seafarers, and the ambition is to improve recruitment and retention across its maritime operations in the Americas, West Africa, the Middle East and Northwest Europe.

“We have made a strategic decision to seize additional ownership of our maritime services”

As part of these developments, Monjasa today announces three new maritime partnerships in Panama, Colombia and Namibia.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard:

“We have made a strategic decision to seize additional ownership of our maritime services. The marine fuels industry is a highly specialised shipping segment, and our long-term ambition is to develop a structured cadetship that promotes high-quality maritime learning opportunities aboard the Monjasa fleet.”

Strengthening maritime relations in Latin America and West Africa

In Latin America, Monjasa have signed new collaboration agreements in Panama and Colombia with the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP) and the Escuela Naval de Cadetes “Almirante Padilla” (ENAP) in Colombia.

Both Latin American initiatives allow the maritime students to complete their mandatory onboard training aboard Monjasa vessels.

“Panama and Colombia have been key to Monjasa’s maritime development in Latin America. Besides the formal training, these new agreements also reflect our commitment to actively contribute to the local communities we operate in,” says Rasmus Jacobsen, Managing Director Americas.

In Namibia, Monjasa’s extensive maritime operations in West Africa, has also given rise to the country’s first ever cadetship programme – a collective initiative between Monjasa, Montec and the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI). Here, Monjasa already welcomed six cadets from NAMFI, marking the beginning of their 12-month journey at sea aboard three locally deployed Monjasa tankers.

A pipeline of skilled seafarers

Looking ahead, Monjasa plans to increase the number of programmes and enrolled cadets during 2026. This expansion aligns with Monjasa’s commitment to strengthening local relationships and hatching the next generation of maritime professionals.

Besides the three newly agreed partnerships, Monjasa is engaged in similar collaborations in the UAE and Latvia. Here, Monjasa already acts as partner to the Sharjah Maritime Academy and Latvian Maritime Academy, Novikontas Maritime Academy and RTU Liepaja Marine College.

Overall, Monjasa ranks as the 7^th largest global marine fuel supplier and controls a total fleet of some 35 vessels.

In another year of high volatility across the global shipping markets, Monjasa Holding continued to experience an increase in total volume and realised the second-best financial performance ever, which led to an all-time high consolidated equity of USD 411m.

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