The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has refused to allow ships flying the Swaziland flag to dock in its ports, forcing shipowners to seek new flags or face potential legal challenges.

Last week, the UAE's Ministry of Transport added the Swaziland flag to its restricted registry, prohibiting ships registered under Swaziland from entering UAE waters.

With the UAE now closed to these vessels, the mostly anonymous owners behind them will need to find new flags or explore alternative trade routes.