Ofac targets ‘shadow fleet’ tankers, STS operators, and Iran’s oil minister in latest sanctions

In addition to nine “shadow fleet” tankers, the US State Department also targeted three tugs that US-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran said assisted in ship-to-ship transfers in the waters off Singapore, a key hub for transhipment of Iranian crude. “Designating the tugboats that assist in these illicit oil transfers sends a clear message: every link in Iran’s sanctions evasion network is under scrutiny,” said Claire Jungman, UANI’s chief of staff. “Specifically, Malili (IMO: 9179921) assisted in an STS transfer with the National Iranian Tanker Company vessel Sobar (IMO: 9221970) and NITC vessel Dune (IMO: 9569712) this week,” she told Lloyd’s List.