Washington sanctions shipping companies linked to illicit shipments

The US Department of the Treasury (DoT) has sanctioned ten companies and ships, as well as vessel managers and captains, for allegedly facilitating the illicit transport of oil and other commodities.

PHOTO: A cargo ship ready for unloading. Getty Images

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned these entities for providing financial support to Yemen-based Houthi militants that have been attacking commercial ships with missiles and drones since October 2023.

OFAC has sanctioned Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal’s network, including UAE and Oman-based Shark International Shipping for forging shipping documents for vessels carrying Iranian commodities, it said.

India-based Rayyan Shipping (OPC) has managed and operated the Guyana-flagged sanctioned vessel OLYMPICS, which continues to carry cargo for Jamal’s network, OFAC said. The Olympics, which previously sailed under the name LADY Sofia, has been sanctioned by OFAC.

OFAC has also sanctioned two Panama-flagged vessels, JANET and BELLA 1, and their owners, Hong Kong-based Lainey Shipping Limited and Panama-based Louis Marine Shipholding, for carrying sanctioned cargo to Southeast Asia.

“The Houthis continue to leverage an expansive support network to facilitate their illicit activities, including hiding the origin of cargo, forging shipping documents, and providing services to sanctioned vessels,” under-secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said.  

By Aparupa Mazumder 

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online