Washington DC. File Image / Pixabay

• Five firms sanctioned over alleged bunker supply to Iran-linked vessels
• Hong Kong-based Shipoil Limited and sister companies, Dubai-based Shipoil FZCO and Ship Fuels and Trade DMCC designated.
• Two further UAE companies, Unique Oasis Shipping Services LLC and Target Horizon Shipping LLC, were also designated.

The US has sanctioned five bunker companies, accusing them of supplying marine fuel to vessels carrying Iranian crude oil and to ships linked to Iran's national shipping line.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Monday designated Hong Kong-based Shipoil Limited, Dubai-based Shipoil FZCO, and Ship Fuels and Trade DMCC, describing them as operated by Greek nationals Almpertos "Alberto" Tsoris and Georgios "George" Tsoris, who were also designated.

Since at least 2023, the companies were said to have coordinated with sanctioned Iranian parties, including the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), to provide bunkering services to vessels carrying Iranian crude and other petroleum products.

Two further UAE companies, Unique Oasis Shipping Services LLC and Target Horizon Shipping LLC, were also designated.

Both are alleged to have worked with Shipoil Limited and Ship Fuels and Trade DMCC this year to provide "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of bunkering services" to a vessel linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

Alberto Tsoris, Shipoil FZCO, and Ship Fuels and Trade DMCC were designated under Executive Order 13902 on the grounds that they operated in Iran's petroleum sector, with Shipoil Limited listed for assisting Shipoil FZCO.

George Tsoris, Unique Oasis, and Target Horizon were designated under Executive Order 13382 on the grounds that they supported IRISL.

A designation is an administrative action by OFAC and is not a criminal charge or a finding by a court.

The designations form part of a wider action Treasury called Operation Economic Outcast, under which OFAC sanctioned nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels in multiple jurisdictions.

"Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Monday’s statement.