US imposes sanctions on 19 tankers for transporting Russian oil bypassing price restrictions

A Russian oil tanker. Stock photo: Getty Images
A Russian oil tanker. Stock photo: Getty Images

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions against 19 tankers that transported Russian oil under the flags of Liberia and Panama.

Source: US Department of Treasury

Details: It is noted that sanctions are imposed in connection with the violation of the restriction on oil prices.

18 tankers fly the flag of Liberia, and one sails under the flag of Panama.

Two companies own the tankers: Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE) and Cielo Marine Ltd (Hong Kong).

It is known that the shipping firm Hennesea Holdings Limited (Hennesea), which is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is the ultimate owner of 18 ships used to transport Russian-origin crude oil at a price higher than US$60 per barrel.

Hennesea was founded in 2022. The company bought outdated tankers that carried Russian crude oil and oil products just before the price restriction went into effect. Hennesea-owned tankers have frequently called at Russian Federation ports.

Background: 

  • These sanctions are a continuation of the US Treasury's restrictive measures introduced in October and November 2023 to reduce oil revenues used by the Russian government to finance the war against Ukraine.

  • In total, the United States is checking 100 tankers from 30 countries for violation of sanctions against Russia.

  • In October, the United States blacklisted two tankers registered with companies from Türkiye and the UAE. In November, three more tankers and three shipping companies from the UAE were included in the sanctions list. In December, there were three more tankers from companies in the UAE.

Support UP or become our patron!