OFAC Sanctions More People, Companies, Ships Aiding Houthis

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned more people and vessels across Asia and the Middle East for their roles in aiding the Yemen-based Houthis through illegal shipping and financing networks. OFAC said the designations specifically target people with ties to Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal see (see 2406170026, 2312280012, 2401120015 and 2403260016).

Among the designations are Indonesia-based Mohammad Roslan Bin Ahmad and China-based Zhuang Liang, who have “facilitated illicit shipments and engaged in money laundering” for the Houthi network. OFAC also designated Thailand and Singapore-based Ascent General Insurance Company; United Arab Emirates-based Fornacis Energy Trading Co., Barco Ship Management Inc., and UAE-based Alpha Shine Marine Services; and Marshall Islands-registered Sea Knot Shipping Inc., for providing insurance to vessels that are part of the network, managing those vessels or shipping Iranian cargo.

OFAC also designated several Panama-flagged vessels for moving that cargo, including under “forged” shipping documents.