Withdrawn

Lists Iranland Services Shipping Agency as a global agent in Tehran and Bandar Abbas.

--

"Now, other companies operating at Iranian ports are in the crosshairs, including Evergreen Marine (Taiwan), Pacific International Lines (Singapore), Regional Container Lines (Thailand), Maersk (Denmark), Ignazio Messina (Italy), and Hyundai (Korea)." (June 26, 2017)

--

"So despite concerns over regulation and reputation, that opportunity explains the caravan of container carriers that started resuming service to Iran back in January. The Iranian port at Bandar Abbas now welcomes ships from Evergreen, Hyundai, OOCL, Hanjin, “K” Line, KMTC, X-Press, Yang Ming, and many more..." (Global Trade, "Transportation/Logistics:Iran is Back Open for Business," 11/1/2016).

--

“Fourteen international shipping lines have returned to Iranian ports following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the formal name of the nuclear deal signed by Iran with the West), the deputy head of Ports and Marine Organization of Iran said. Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world’s second-largest shipping line in terms of container vessel capacity, and Evergreen Line are among the top shipping lines engaged in economic interactions with Iranian ports,” he said.(Financial Tribune, "Int'l Shipping Lines Back to Iran," 9/27/2016).

--

"Taiwanese lines Evergreen and Yang Ming Marine said they had pulled out, while Singapore's Pacific International Lines has also cut ties along with two top South Korean shipping firms." (Reuters, "Chinese Firms Drop Iran as Latest U.S. Sanctions Bite," 07/01/2013)

--

On June 23, 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Tidewater Middle East Co. (“Tidewater”), Iran’s major port operator, because the IRGC owns it and uses it for illicit activities including weapons shipments. (U.S. Department of the Treasury Press Center, “Treasury Sanctions Major Iranian Commercial Entities,” 6/23/11)  The EU followed with its own sanctions against Tidewater on January 23, 2012. (Official Journal or the European Union: Council Decision 2012/35/CFSP)
 

--

Listed by the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization as doing business with the Iranian Khadamat Saheli iran.  (Ports & Maritime Organization: Companies Affairs Department: Liners)

--

Operates as a liner in Iranian ports.  (Ports and Maritime Organization: Shipping Lines which operating in Iranian Ports)

--

Uses Tidewater Middle East Co.’s private terminals in the Shahid Rajaee Port Complex. (Tidewater: Reflection of Tomorrow)

--

Evergreen has an American subsidiary called Evergreen Shipping Agency Co.

Helm AG is a Hamburg-based chemicals firm specializing in plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and acids. The company has branches in over 30 countries and had a 2009 turnover of 5 million euros (Company Website). 

--

Helm AG had previously been involved in the importation of Iranian petrochemicals to Europe, but announced in October of 2010 that they would be pulling out of the business. A company spokesman announced that "The company management decided there would be no more business with Iran - either directly or indirectly. The decision came into effect immediately and will not be revised in the immediate future" (Platts). 

“Business in Iran has grown over the past year. Now we have stopped our activities for the time being,” “We’ve won two larger contracts in 2017. This is not overly important, but it’s not small either. This was also an opportunity in terms of margins that we’re now losing,” (8/11/18)

"Auto supplier Duerr stops Iran business due to sanctions"

--

Durr AG lists two representatives for the Iranian market on its company website.

--

A division of Durr AG, Durr Somac, lists a sales office in Iran. (Company Website)

--

Additionally, a subsidiary of Durr AG, Carl Schenck AG, also lists an office in Iran. (Company Website)

"A few days ago, Emirates NBD, one of the largest banking groups in the Middle East in terms of assets, sent a letter to its Iranian customers to notify them that their accounts do not match the bank’s portfolio criteria and gave them a 30-days deadline to organize their affairs and close their accounts." (November 14, 2017)  

--

Emirates NBD Bank l is one of the companies listed as a speaker at the HR Trends Summit taking place from October 18-19, 2016 in Tehran, Iran. (Speakers).
 

--

Noted for conducting business with Iranian and U.S. banks. (Avi Jorisch, "Iran's dirty banking," 2010)

"Swiss lender Banque de Commerce et de Placements (BCP) has suspended new transactions with Iran and is winding down activities with the country after U.S. President Donald Trump’s pullout from the nuclear deal with Tehran, the bank said on Tuesday. “We have suspended any new transaction related to Iran after May 8, 2018 and started the ‘wind down period’ within the framework of OFAC announcement,” the bank said in a emailed statement to Reuters, referring to the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions enforcement arm." (May 29, 2018).

--

Jan 2018 - Some banks such as Bank Muscat have returned to the Iranian market, but in Europe, only small privately ­owned institutions are handling banking transactions with Iran. These include DZ Bank (Germany), Erste Group Bank (Austria), Banque Wormser (France), BCP bank (Switzerland), and EIH Bank (Germany). Many of the banks have pre­existing links to Iran, such as a major shareholder or branches in the country.

--

Iranian private lender, Bank Sina, has opened an account in Switzerland’s BCP, which allows Sina to transfer euro and Swiss franc. According to a press release released on Sina’s website on Saturday, the bank is also ready to issue letters of credit and receive finance from the Swiss lender. (Financial Tribune, "BCP-Sina Bank Tie-Up" 12/4/2016)

--

Conducts business in Iran and with U.S banks. (Avi Jorisch, "Iran's dirty banking," 2010) 

--

“The $4.2 billion in unfrozen oil revenue was the biggest single gain in a package of sanctions relief worth around $7 billion for Iran, according to U.S. officials. In exchange, Iran agreed to curtail some of the most dangerous elements of its nuclear program. Iran insists its pursuits are for purely peaceful purposes such as producing energy and medical research…On Feb. 3, the first payment of $550 million in unfrozen oil revenue was transferred from a Japanese bank to Banque de Commerce et de Placements, or BCP, in Switzerland. As of Wednesday, the funds hadn't been withdrawn. A BCP spokesman declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the Swiss Economic Affairs department, Marie Avet, confirmed the money had come to a Swiss bank. Switzerland, which hosted the talks that produced November's accord, had been asked to help facilitate the repatriation of funds, she said.” (Wall Street Jouranl, “Iran Can't Withdraw Much Oil Revenue Under Interim Nuclear Deal,” 4/6/14)

--

“As part of talks in Geneva over the nuclear question, Tehran is pressing world powers to speed up trade finance arrangements on humanitarian deals involving both Western and Iranian banks, according to an Iranian government document seen by Reuters and sources familiar with the initiative. Iranian government officials and international trade sources say Tehran wants to simplify complex trade finance arrangements potentially worth billions of dollars, which would alleviate pressure on the country's sanctioned banking system…Iranian government officials said the document, which has been sent to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, tasked with safeguarding Tehran's interests, listed the following banks as ‘available for further actions’: Standard Chartered Bank (London), Societe Generale (Paris), Banque de Commerce et de Placements (BCP) (Geneva), UniCredit Bank (Munich), Commerzbank (Frankfurt), United Bank (Zurich) and BHF Bank (Frankfurt). It was not clear whether these banks had been approached to provide finance. Two business executives familiar with the initiative said they were aware that Standard Chartered, Societe Generale, Commerzbank were among those on the wish list. Commerzbank, Societe Generale, United Bank and BCP all declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Standard Chartered said the bank was not involved and would not get involved in any transaction with any party from Iran.” (Reuters, “Western banks cold-shoulder Iran trade finance scheme,” 3/13/14)

On May 14, 2018, Reuters reported, “Denmark’s Danske Bank said it decided earlier this year to phase out and exit all activities to and from Iran, due to increasing operational and reputational risks associated with doing business in Iran…Danske Bank said it also decided to suspend existing relations with Iran that allowed it to support certain customers in doing business in Iran.” (5/14/2018)
 

--

"Denmark's Danske Bank signed a €500 million finance contract  with 10 Iranian banks on Thursday, becoming the second European lender to ink such an agreement with Iran." (September 21, 2017)

--

"CBI deputy governor has reported on attraction of financial resources worth 7.2 billion dollars through three international banks. Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) for Foreign Exchange Affairs Gholamali Kamyab, while pointing to foreign exchange projects pursued by CBI in the field of Resistance Economy, said attraction of 10 billion dollars of external resources remained as one objective defined by the central bank in the area of Resistance Economy. 'Measures taken by CBI in this regard include extensive negotiations with some foreign banks like Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank), the Italian Mediobank as well as Danske Bank of Denmark,' noted the official." (Mehr News, "Iran Attracts $7.2bn Finance from 3 Foreign Banks," 1/8/2017).

--

"Denmark's Danske Bank A/S said on Monday it was in talks with the Iranian central bank on arranging credit to clients with business activities in the country. 'To a limited extent and within the international framework, we are open to supporting our clients with activities in Iran financially,' a Danske Bank spokesman said in an email. 'We are in dialogue with Iran's central bank about this, but no deal has been reached at this point,' he said. An Iranian central bank official said that the bank had received $7.2 billion in financing from three foreign banks, including Danske Bank, Iran's Financial Tribune daily reported on Sunday." (Reuters, "Danske Bank Says in Talks with Iran Central Bank on Financing ," 1/9/2017).

"Austria’s Oberbank will withdraw from Iran because of increased risk for European companies in light of potential U.S. sanctions, it said on Wednesday." (June 13, 2018)

--

"Austria’s Oberbank, which, as a result of the 2015 nuclear deal became the first European bank to enter Iran’s financial system, announced it has not moved forward with business transactions in the Islamic Republic because of US sanctions." (5/31/2018).
 

--

"Oberbank (OBER.VI) on Thursday said it had signed a deal with Iran, enabling it to finance new ventures there and making it one of the first European banks to do so since sanctions were eased." (September 21, 2017)

--

UANI is now dismayed to learn Oberbank AG participated in the February 20, 2017 Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft e. V. (“vbw”) meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Javad Zarif and Ambassador S. E. Ali Majedi. Prospective engagement with the vbw Economic Liaison Office in Tehran, where the Tehran Chamber will serve as a local partner. Troublingly, the Tehran Chamber is affiliated with the Iran Development and Renovation Organisation (“IDRO”). (vbw Website, “Round Table mit dem iranischen Außenminister Dr. Zarif”).

--

"Austrian Oberbank will continue its professional procedures and support transactions with Iran which have helped the bank to gain an excellent reputation in both countries. "As the first Austrian bank, we are signing a framework agreement for tied financial loans (G3) in US dollars, yen and euros. This agreement allows Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB) covered financing with maturities of more than 2 years. It also allows the financing of important projects, for example in infrastructure or health care. It is therefore urgently awaited by well-known Austrian exporters, who are also shortly before signing their export contracts. The agreement allows important Austrian exporters to start their projects in strategic Iranian sectors. Our range of services is only offered to customers from our markets," Alexander Türk, from the Austrian Oberbank, told Trend." (September 2017)

--

"Austria agreed on Wednesday to significantly increase its export guarantees for deals with Iran during a visit by the Islamic Republic's central bank chief, two people familiar with the matter said. It will raise the total amount of guarantees that Oesterreichische Kontrollbank, the body responsible, can provide to roughly 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) from more than 200 million euros, the people said. "It is about saying that it is possible to do significantly more than before," said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks between Iranian and Austrian officials were confidential." (Reuters, "Austria signals readiness to do more business with Iran," 9/28/2016).

--

--

Referenced as an international bank providing services to 'deficient' Iranian banks. (Avi Jorisch, "Iran's dirty banking," 2010)

The Iranian company HEPCO lists Liebherr products under license on its company website. Please, therefore, clarify the current status of Liebherr’s business ties with HEPCO. (HEPCO Website, “Under License: Liebherr")

--

Swiss engineering group Liebherr and Finland’s Konecranes (KCRA.HE) and Cargotec (CGCBV.HE) have told India Ports Global Pvt Ltd, which is developing the deep water port, they were unable to take part in the bids as their banks were not ready to facilitate transactions involving Iran due to the uncertainty over U.S. policy, the two officials said in separate conversations with Reuters. (June 2017)

--

Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock was advertised as a participant in 2017 for IRANIMEX, which was “formed to expand, develop and create international opportunities for Iran’s maritime and offshore technologies.” IRANIMEX Website, “Preliminary list of confirmed exhibitors as per 24 November 2017,” 11/24/2017; IRANIMEX Website, “IRANIMEX 2016 [Floorplan],” 2016.

--

"…[Liebherr ] has won the tender for equipping Shahid Rajaee Port because of its high quality manufactured gantry cranes, announced, managing director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO).  Liebherr is also eager to reconnect to the Iranian market, Mohammad Saeed-Nejad added.  Liebherr had informed its customers and business associates in Iran that the company ceases their business activities with them as of May 2011." (Haftdarya, “Construction German company Liebherr wins tender for Iran’s biggest port,” 2/16/2016). 

--

The Liebherr Group is a large, decentralized manufacturing company made up of over 100 companies that operate independently under the Liebherr Group banner, with a workforce of over 32,000 and revenues of 6.96 billion euros in 2009. The Liebherr Group focuses on construction equipment and specializes in cranes, aircraft parts, and mining (Company Website).

--

According to the Liebherr, the company sells equipment in Iran through the Tehran-based Boron Marz Co. (Liebherr website. “Sales and service partners worldwide”).

--

In 2004, a company press release revealed that the Iranian “Ports and Shipping Organization,” closely linked to Iran’s blacklisted Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)—which is inextricably connected to the regime’s missile and nuclear programs—possesses “a total of 26 Liebherr harbour mobile cranes, including 6 different crane types.” (Liebherr website, “Iranian customer purchases the 100th Liebherr harbour mobile crane, type LHM 400”)

--

According to World Cargo News, in 2005 the Ports and Shipping Organization purchased another six Liebherr cranes. (World Cargo News, “Mobile cranes roll to record levels,” January 2006)

--

The Iranian company Shenavar Saze Pooyesh (SSP) states it is the exclusive agent of Liebherr Werk Nenzig, the Austrian subsidiary of Liebherr (SSP website. “Home.”) SSP major clients are in the shipping and oil and gas industries, including such sanctioned entities as the IRISL, which is listed as using “Liebherr Deck Cranes” (SSP website. “About us.”)

--

In 2005, the German government worked to stop the delivery of a special-purpose $785,000 Liebherr crane to Mizan Machine, a blacklisted Iranian shell company affiliated with Iran’s ballistic missile program. It was suspected the crane would be used to support the regime’s missile program. (Der Spiegel, “Will a German Crane Be Used By the Mullahs to Make Missiles?”, 4/25/05; Iran Watch, “Iranian Entity: Mizan Machine Manufacturing Group). It is unclear if the German government succeeded in stopping the delivery.

 In 2020, the U.S. state of Mississippi listed BelAZ on its state lists of Companies Doing Business with the Iranian Petroleum/Natural Gas, Nuclear and Military Sectors, rendering BelAZ ineligible for investment and/or state contracting.

--

In 2017, the U.S. states of Mississippi and New Jersey listed BelAZ on its state list of Companies Doing Business with the Iranian Petroleum/Natural Gas, Nuclear and Military Sectors, rendering BelAZ ineligible for investment and/or state contracting.

--

Belaz is a large Belarusian construction equipment manufacturer specializing in mining. It sells equipment in Iran through the dealer Zagros Machine Mining & Construction Equipment. 

"Swiss engineering group Liebherr and Finland’s Konecranes (KCRA.HE) and Cargotec (CGCBV.HE) have told India Ports Global Pvt Ltd, which is developing the deep water port, they were unable to take part in the bids as their banks were not ready to facilitate transactions involving Iran due to the uncertainty over U.S. policy, the two officials said in separate conversations with Reuters." (June 2017)

--

Konecranes is a Finnish construction equipment company and "world-leading lifting equipment manufacturer serving manufacturing and process industries, nuclear industry, shipyards and harbors with productivity enhancing lifting solutions and services." In 2009, Konecranes had a sales total of 1.67 billion euros (Company Website). 

--

Konecranes sells cranes through an Iranian dealer, Sepahan Lifter (Company Website). 

--

Konecranes owns an American crane company, Morris Materials. Hoist Magazine, a trade journal, reported that Morris sold crane kits to the Iran-based Arian Company, which generated $900,000 in sales in the year 2000 alone ("Morris Firms Relationships in Middle Eastern Region"). 

--

The British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce notes that Alperton Ltd, a British engineering company, operates dealerships for Morris cranes in Iran (BICC). 

--

Konecranes operates a joint venture, Crane Industrial Services LLC, with the UAE-based Kanoo Group. The shipping arm of the Kanoo Group has extensive business interests in Iran (Kanoo Shipping Agencies). 

--

In addition to their wide application in the petrochemical, oil, natural gas, and nuclear industries, Iran has used overhead cranes to publicly execute political prisoners ("Khomeini fatwa led to killing of 30,000 in Iran").