US blacklists two shipping firms in new Iran-related sanctions

The US Treasury’s blacklisting of 1380079 BC LTD and NIA NATIONS CURRENCY LTD effectively severs these entities from the dollar-based maritime economy, forcing any counterparty to choose between these firms and access to the US financial system.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the two shipping-related entities to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List on 06 Nov 2026. This action blocks any assets the companies hold under US jurisdiction and generally prohibits US persons from conducting business with them.

OFAC published the designations as part of an Iran-related action. The full list of entries, including specific identifiers for the companies, is now live on the Treasury’s recent actions page.

Why it matters

For shipowners and charterers, these designations turn 1380079 BC LTD and NIA NATIONS CURRENCY LTD into toxic counterparties. Any firm providing insurance, bunkering, or port services to these entities now risks secondary sanctions or the loss of their own US banking relationships. The move forces an immediate compliance review for any operator dealing with third-party managers or entities that may have links to these two firms.

The designations also create immediate operational friction for any cargo currently linked to these entities. Banks will likely freeze payments related to these companies, potentially leaving crews and vessel operations in a financial vacuum. This isolation effectively removes these companies from the legitimate global supply chain, as mainstream insurers and financiers cannot risk the exposure.

The inclusion of these firms on the SDN list means that even non-US companies must tread carefully. Because most international maritime transactions clear through US-linked financial institutions, any deal involving 1380079 BC LTD or NIA NATIONS CURRENCY LTD is likely to be flagged and blocked, regardless of where the physical trade occurs.

What to watch

The identifiers on OFAC’s recent actions page for 06 Nov 2026 provide the specific data points that compliance departments will use to flag vessels and transactions tied to these entities.

Source: US Treasury (OFAC)