It is because of the niceties of "obeying" international law. A ship belonging to a combatant is only allowed 48 hours in a neutral port - so the supply ship had to conceal who she was to be able to remain there. The ship/sub being repaired ditto - she couldn't be publiccaly seen receiving aid from the supply ship, otherwise the "neutrality" of said ship was compromised. In reality, EVERYONE knew who they were and what was going on - but as long as "the proprieties" were observed, the "neutral" country had "plausible deny-ability" when pressed by the Allied diplomats.
Ain't politics just somethin' else?
Edit: Just as an example - Graf Spree after the Battle of the River Platte.
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