COPENHAGEN, Feb 19 (Reuters) – The maritime authority of Denmark announced on Thursday that it has detained an Iran-flagged container ship currently anchored in its waters, citing improper registration as the reason.

The vessel, identified as “Nora” based on LSEG data, was originally flying the Comoros flag. However, Comoros informed Denmark that the ship was not listed in their registry, according to an email from the Danish authority to Reuters.

“The ship will remain detained until a flag state can prove that it is registered and fully certified,” the authority stated. It also mentioned that a port state inspection will be carried out before the ship is released.

“The inspection will take place when the weather conditions are safe for it,” they added.

LSEG data indicates that the “Nora” is currently under the Iranian flag.

According to Danish broadcaster TV2, which was the first to report this news, the ship changed its flag from Comoros to Iran on Wednesday. Reuters could not independently confirm when this flag change occurred.

The “Nora” shares its International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number with a vessel previously named CERUS, which is on the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list, as per LSEG data.

IMO numbers are unique identifiers for vessels that remain the same, regardless of name changes or flag switches.

The CERUS is listed under the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran sanctions program and is associated with Argun Shipping Inc. and Reel Shipping LLC, according to LSEG data.

Reuters was unable to contact either Argun or Reel Shipping for comments.

The vessel has reportedly been inactive for the past 25 days, as noted by TV2.