US moves to cripple shadow fleet with major sanctions on global oil shipping networks
The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iran’s petroleum trade, targeting international shipping networks accused of facilitating sanctions evasion and generating revenue for Tehran.
WASHINGTON, October 8, 2026 — The United States has unleashed another wave of sanctions against Iran’s shadow fleet, targeting dozens of shipping companies, vessels and individuals in an effort to disrupt Tehran’s oil exports and dismantle its international sanctions evasion networks.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated six individuals, 27 entities and 22 vessels Thursday as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign launched in August to restrict Iran’s access to international energy markets. Treasury said the latest action effectively neutralizes the vast majority of Iran’s remaining shadow fleet, a network of vessels used to transport sanctioned petroleum through opaque ownership structures and deceptive shipping practices.
The measures target shipping operators, vessel owners and trading companies across India, China, Hong Kong, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands. Among those sanctioned are India-based Samudra Marine Services Private Limited and SSPL Solutions Private Limited, alongside Hessonite Ship Management LLC, Horizon Ship Management FZE and One Plus International Co Ltd.
Treasury identified 17 vessels allegedly involved in transporting millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals to Asian markets. They include SHENZHEN, which reportedly transported more than 3.5 million barrels of Iranian crude since November 2025, and STARWAY, accused of carrying more than 3 million barrels of Iranian naphtha since 2025. Another designated vessel, TINA 5, allegedly transported more than 1.5 million barrels of Iranian crude in August alone.
The designations were imposed under Executive Orders 13846 and 13902, which authorize sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors. The restrictions generally freeze designated parties’ assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from conducting transactions with them. Foreign financial institutions facilitating certain significant transactions may also face secondary sanctions exposure.
Alongside the designations, OFAC issued Iran-related General License EE, authorizing certain transactions necessary to wind down dealings involving Samudra Marine Services and its majority-owned entities until Oct. 23, 2026. The agency also removed two vessels, HAKUNA MATATA and PINOCCHIO, from its sanctions list following changes in ownership and their departure from Iran’s shadow fleet network.
In a separate regulatory development, OFAC issued Russia-related General License 13S, replacing General License 13R and extending authorization for certain administrative transactions involving taxes, fees, permits and other routine operational obligations in Russia until Jan. 9, 2027.
The latest measures reinforce Washington’s efforts to restrict Iranian petroleum revenues while increasing sanctions compliance risks for international shipping companies, commodity traders and financial institutions involved in the country’s energy exports.
Regulatory Actions
Structured data extracted from official sources and validated by sanctions experts