In Case You Missed It: "Hong Kong to Cut Iranian Ships from Register"

In Case You Missed It: "Hong Kong to Cut Iranian Ships from Register"
Reuters: "Hong Kong had been Urged by U.S. Pressure Group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) to End the Flagging of 19 Dry Bulk Ships"

Hong Kong to cut Iranian ships from register: letter
By Jonathan Saul & Alison Leung
Reuters
November 12, 2012

Hong Kong will stop allowing 19 ships linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) from operating under its flag, a government letter showed, in the latest blow to Tehran's sanctions-hit global trade.

A letter from the Hong Kong government's marine department (HKMD) dated November 9 and seen by Reuters showed the authority had given notice to the owners of the 19 ships. ...

Hong Kong had been urged by U.S. pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) to end the flagging of 19 dry bulk ships, which the group said were owned, managed or operated by IRISL and its front companies.

"As it is of paramount importance to HKMD in safeguarding the quality of Hong Kong ships, HKMD has therefore taken action already in notifying the owners of these 19 ships for the closure of the registration in Hong Kong within 90 days beginning from the date of the notice being served," S.F. Wong, Hong Kong Shipping Register's general manager, said in the letter. ...

Wong said KR had confirmed to HKMD it would not conduct any survey or audit from January 1, 2013 on the 19 ships.

"Given KR has effectively ceased to provide services or support to the company for managing the Hong Kong ships, HKMD does have concern about the safety and the quality of these ships," Wong said in the letter. ...

A targeted campaign by UANI, which includes former U.S. ambassadors on its board and is funded by private donations, has already led to the exit of a number of foreign companies from Iran.

"We applaud and thank Hong Kong for its responsible decision. No country should be flagging Iranian vessels, given the risks and the stakes involved," UANI said. ...

Click here to read UANI's letter to Hong Kong.

Click here to learn more about UANI's Shipping Campaign.

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