US Sanctions Iranian Oil Fleet: 9 Vessels Targeted | Mariner News
The United States has recently escalated its efforts to curb Iranian oil shipments, imposing sanctions on nine vessels and their owners. This move targets the notorious “shadow fleet” suspected of facilitating illicit energy exports from Iran to international markets, primarily in East Asia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa. These actions underscore the Treasury Department’s commitment to disrupting funding streams that support the Iranian regime.
Targeted Vessels and Illicit Cargo
The comprehensive list of sanctioned ships includes a variety of maritime assets crucial to the illicit network. Among them are LPG Carriers SEA BIRD, AVON, and AL DIAB II, alongside the crude tanker CESARIA. Also designated were the condensate carrier LONGEVITY 7, fuel oil carrier EASTERN HERO, products tanker AQUA SPIRIT, and naphtha carriers CHIRON 5 and KEEL. These vessels were reportedly transporting diverse Iranian petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil, high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO), and naphtha.
Implications for Global Shipping Compliance
Under the new designations by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), these vessels are now considered blocked property. This effectively freezes any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them without explicit authorization. As Scott Bessent, Secretary of the US Treasury, highlighted, “Today’s sanctions target a critical component of how Iran generates the funds used to repress its own people.” This serves as a significant warning to the global maritime industry regarding compliance with international sanctions against illicit trade.
