Regulatory Liaison: OFAC, UN, & EU

Bridging the Gap Between Global Policy and Operational Reality.

Operating in high-friction zones requires more than a compliance checklist—it requires a proactive relationship with the world's primary maritime regulators. At SanctionedShipping.com, we act as your dedicated liaison, ensuring that every voyage is not only legal but proactively cleared by the relevant authorities. We specialize in navigating the General and Specific Licensing frameworks that keep humanitarian and authorized trade moving through "Blocked" regions.

1. OFAC Mastery: Utilizing General Licenses

In 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has intensified its focus on "intermediaries." We help our clients leverage existing "Carve-outs" to move cargo without the months-long wait for specific permits.

  • Humanitarian General Licenses: We specialize in fixtures for food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices under the most recent 2026 "Ag-Med" authorizations.

  • Safety & Environmental Licenses: We facilitate emergency offloading and "Safety of Life at Sea" (SOLAS) transactions involving blocked vessels, utilizing the latest General License T (2026) and its successors.

  • Specific License Applications: For complex infrastructure projects or energy-related trade, we prepare the exhaustive technical "Paper Trail" required for a successful Specific License application.

2. UNVIM Integration: The Red Sea Gateway

For trade into Yemen’s Red Sea ports (Hodeidah, Saleef, and Ras Isa), UNVIM (United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism) is the mandatory gatekeeper.

  • Pre-Departure Clearance: We ensure that all cargo manifests and vessel specs are submitted to the Djibouti Hub immediately upon departure from the load port—meeting the 2026 Ministry of Transport's "Instant Permit" requirement.

  • AIS Monitoring: We act as the 24/7 bridge between the vessel’s Master and UNVIM monitors, ensuring the ship’s AIS track remains "Clean" and signal gaps are professionally explained and documented.

  • Inspection Support: If a vessel is selected for inspection in international waters, we manage the communication flow to minimize discharge delays and ensure crew safety.

3. EU 20th Sanctions Package & "Shadow Fleet" Defense

The EU's February 2026 Sanctions Package has introduced a full maritime services ban for vessels suspected of "Shadow Fleet" activity. Our liaison office ensures your fixture is protected.

  • Asset Verification: We verify that your chosen vessel is not on the EU’s expanded "640-Vessel Shadow Fleet" list.

  • Certificate of Origin Audits: We perform a forensic audit of the cargo's provenance to satisfy EU customs and banking regulations, particularly for trade in the Black Sea and Baltic regions.

  • Price Cap Compliance: For energy-related trade, we maintain the "Attestation" records required by G7 and EU authorities to prove the transaction falls within the 2026 regulatory thresholds.

4. The "Safety Story" for Your Bank

The biggest hurdle in 2026 isn't the law—it's Banking De-Risking. Even legal, licensed trade is often blocked by risk-averse compliance officers.

We provide the "Bank-Ready" Documentation Pack:

  1. Compliance Memo: A plain-English summary of why the voyage is legal under current General Licenses.

  2. UBO Report: Verification of the "Ultimate Beneficial Owner" to satisfy AML/KYC requirements.

  3. Liaison Log: A record of communications with UNVIM or OFAC (where applicable) to prove proactive transparency.

Regulatory Status Dashboard (Q1 2026)

AgencyFocus Area2026 PriorityOFAC"Shadow Fleet"Targeting gatekeepers and intermediaries in the UAE and HK.UNVIMYemen (Red Sea)Mandatory 24/7 AIS tracking and advance permit filing.EU CommissionBlack Sea / BalticFull maritime service ban on unvetted energy tankers.UK HM TreasuryGlobalSecondary sanctions for non-UK firms aiding evasion.

Request a Regulatory Feasibility Study

Before you commit to a contract, let our liaison team verify if your cargo and vessel can clear the "Three-Layer" (OFAC/UN/EU) regulatory gauntlet.

Contact the Liaison Desk:

Email: info@sanctionedshipping.com

Subject: Regulatory Feasibility Check – [Route/Cargo]