By Jos Standerwick, CEO, Maritime London

 

OFAC Updated Shipping Advisory

On April 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an updated Iran Shipping Advisory and designated several entities and vessels involved in the illicit transport of Iranian oil.​

The advisory is an update to the September 2019 advisory and provides guidance to shipping and maritime stakeholders on detecting and mitigating Iranian oil sanctions evasion. The updated guidance and designations is part of National Security Presidential  Memorandum (NSPM-2), which imposes a policy of ‘maximum pressure’ on the Government of Iran.

A link to the Advisory can be found here.  

 

Entities and Vessels Designated

OFAC added several entities and vessels to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List:​

 

Entities

  • BESTLA COMPANY LIMITED (Marshall Islands): Involved in the operation of vessels transporting Iranian oil.​

  • CIVIC CAPITAL SHIPPING INC. (Panama): Operates vessels engaged in the illicit transport of Iranian petroleum.​

  • DEXIANG SHIPPING CO., LIMITED (Hong Kong): Manages vessels used for shipping Iranian oil.​

  • OCEANIC ORBIT INCORPORATED (Panama): Operates vessels involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum.​

  • PRO MISSION SDN BHD (Malaysia): Provides services to vessels engaged in the illicit shipping of Iranian oil.​

  • SHANDONG SHENGXING CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (China): Purchases Iranian oil, facilitating its export.​

  • STARBOARD SHIPPING INC. (Panama): Operates vessels involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum.​

     

Vessels

  • FIONA II (Panama): Involved in transporting illicit Iranian oil since at least 2023.​
  • YURI (Marshall Islands): Has carried Iranian oil to China since at least 2020.
  • VANITY (Marshall Islands): Operated in transporting Iranian oil to China.​
  • OLIVE (Panama): Managed by Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited, involved in transporting Iranian oil.
  • BLACK PANTHER (Panama): Engaged in ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil with Iranian-flagged vessels.
  • ​LIONESS (Panama): Involved in transporting Iranian oil.​
  • TONIL (Panama): Managed by Lightship Management Ltd, has carried millions of barrels of oil for Iran.
  • CERES I (Hong Kong): Involved in transporting Iranian oil since at least 2021.

 

OFAC sanctions vessels and owners asserting they have provided support to The Houthis

On Monday 28 April, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted three vessels and their owners for providing support to Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis. Not only do the Houthis continue to pose a threat to freedom of navigation and the safety of innocent seafarers, OFAC also asserts that ‘the Houthis profit from the shipment of goods through ports they control, profiting, in particular, from the discharge of refined petroleum products.’

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender stated:

“Today’s action underscores our commitment to disrupt the Houthis’ efforts to fund their dangerous and destabilizing attacks in the region… Treasury will continue to leverage our tools and authorities to target those who seek to enable the Houthis’ ability to exploit the people of Yemen and continue their campaign of violence.”

A link to the relevant press release and information on the designated entities and vessels can be found here.

 

Operation maximum pressure against Iaran continues to designate owners, traders and vessels

The Department of State is imposing sanctions on seven entities, asserting that they have engaged in the sale of Iranian petroleum products and petrochemical products. Four traders, one ‘purchaser’, a vessel manager and an Iran based cargo inspection company have been designated. Two vessels associated with the manager have been blocked (the assets have been frozen).

A link highlighting the designated entities and the reasons behind the designations can be found here. 

 

 

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