reflag

[ ree-flag ]

verb (used with object)

, re·flagged, re·flag·ging.

1. to register (a foreign ship) so that it flies the flag of the registering nation and thereby comes under the latter's protection.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflag¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Cooper said authorities had no current plans to reflag ships and escort them past Yemen.

From Seattle Times

“It’s like being without a passport,” Watts said, adding that no state may reflag the ship without violating the sanctions regime.

From Washington Post

“The North Koreans will take measures to rename and reflag these vessels,” said Farley Mesko, chief executive of Sayari Analytics, a Washington-based financial intelligence company that tracks illicit trade with North Korea.

From Washington Post

Unlike some other major Islamist extremist groups such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram, al-Shabaab refused to reflag itself as a “province” of Islamic State when that movement was ascendant in 2014. A separate Islamic State-linked group in Somalia counts roughly 100-200 men and operates mostly in the northern Puntland region, according to the U.S. military.

From Wall Street Journal

“EU laws stop EU-flagged ships being broken up on Asian beaches, but because owners can easily ‘reflag’ ships it has little strength.”

From The Guardian