Gambiaj.com – The Standard newspaper has revealed that the Managing Director of the Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), Karamo Janneh, is facing mounting scrutiny following revelations that he outsourced the registration of vessels to a Cyprus-based company, MDIR Services Ltd., which subsequently appointed his daughter as its representative in The Gambia.

The appointment of his daughter to such a crucial position raises serious ethical concerns and questions about potential conflicts of interest as well as transparency and accountability within the GMA.

Outsourcing to MDIR Services Ltd.

The Standard newspaper says MDIR Services Ltd, a private limited liability company registered in Cyprus, was contracted by the GMA to manage The Gambia’s international ship registry. The company, which has expertise in maritime affairs, set up a subsidiary, Gambia International Ship Registry (GISR), to oversee vessel registration under The Gambia’s flag.

According to an official letter from the GMA, seen by The Standard, GISR Ltd was appointed as the International Ship Registry for The Gambia. The letter cited the Director General’s powers under the Gambia Maritime Administration Act of 2003 and the Gambia Merchant Shipping Act of 2013 to justify the arrangement.

Under the agreement, MDIR Services Ltd. is entitled to charge and collect fees for registration services. The contract also grants MDIR the authority to issue, revoke, or suspend licenses and certificates for ships and crew members under The Gambia’s flag.

Additionally, it permits MDIR to represent The Gambia in International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings on safety, pollution prevention, and flag state matters.

Controversial Appointment of DG’s Daughter

A key point of contention in the deal is the appointment of Bintou Janneh, the daughter of the GMA chief, as GISR’s regional manager in The Gambia.

Ms. Janneh, who was previously implicated in a multimillion-dalasi corruption scandal at the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), was suspended over that matter but has now been given a pivotal role in the newly outsourced ship registry.

Her appointment letter, addressed to her father, stated that she would serve as the local representative of GISR, liaising between GISR and the GMA, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting the registry.

Lack of Due Process and Concerns on Surge in Ships Registered Under Gambian Flag

A senior GMA board member disclosed that the board was not consulted during the initial discussions of the outsourcing contract.

“We were only informed when it was time to sign the agreement, and some of us refused to sign. Despite that, the DG went ahead with it,” the source alleged, further claiming that there was no competitive bidding process.

A maritime expert warned that outsourcing vessel registration to a foreign entity could reduce The Gambia’s control over its maritime registry and compliance with international maritime laws. “While Cyprus offers cost-effective registration, The Gambia may lose potential revenue and credibility in international maritime circles,” the expert stated.

The agreement has coincided with a dramatic increase in vessels flying The Gambia’s flag. The country’s registered fleet surged from having no tankers in 2023 to 35 oil and gas tankers by mid-March 2025. The total deadweight tonnage (DWT) jumped from 26,665 DWT at the end of 2023 to nearly 3.6 million DWT as of March 2025.

However, maritime analysts caution that nearly 99% of these tankers are under U.S., U.K., or E.U. sanctions or are involved in sanctioned oil and gas trades.

Reassignment of GMA Registrar of Ships and GMA Response

Further controversy surrounds the transfer of Lamin Jawara, former director registrar of ships at the GMA. Mr. Jawara, who was reportedly opposed to the outsourcing decision, was redeployed to another department. A letter obtained by The Standard confirmed his reassignment, raising questions about whether the move was a retaliatory action.

When contacted for comments by The Standard newspaper, GMA Director General Karamo Janneh referred The Standard to his lawyer, Oli Danso.

Danso confirmed the contract with MDIR and insisted that due process was followed. However, when asked about allegations that the board was not consulted, Danso demanded sources before responding.

Regarding Ms. Janneh’s appointment, Danso argued, “GMA has no control over whom MDIR employs to facilitate their work.”

The outsourcing decision, along with the appointment of DG Janneh’s daughter and concerns over the sudden expansion of The Gambia’s flagged fleet, has raised serious questions about governance, transparency, and potential regulatory risks within the country’s maritime sector. Observers are calling for further investigations into the matter and its long-term implications for The Gambia’s maritime administration.

Source: The Standard