Seven New Russian Companies Are in the Crosshairs of U.S. Sanctions

In a statement released on May 8th, the Department of Treasury added seven new maritime shipping companies to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list. This new addition included shipping firms alleged to move Russia's military equipment. 69 ships are also listed as blocked property.

Allmarinenews uniforms, U.S. Secretary of State remarked that the Russian Ministry of Defence's internal shipping company, Oboronlogistika, and S.C. South LLC; one of its subsidiaries, M Leasing LLC, Marine Trans Shipping LLC, Nord Project LLC Transport shipping company, Transmorflot, and Northern Shipping company are added to the list of sanctioned entities under the allegation of having transported Russian weapons. Among the sanctioned companies is OOO Fertoing, a Hydrographic and dive company. This firm provides technical support for oil and gas pipelines and other high-end projects for the Russian government. It has been instrumental in completing Russia's high-profile marine projects like constructing the port Sabetta in Siberia and installing the Prirazlomnaya offshore oil platform.

Sanctions were already in place on Russia's shipping company in Russia; Sovcomflot, and United Shipbuilding Corporation, which is the country's most sophisticated and largest builder. In a more recent turn of events, Sovcomflot has resorted to selling ships to buyers in the Middle East and Asia to repay loans to western banks. It has sold five tankers to Koban Shipping in Dubai and four natural gas carriers to Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping. The move comes before the deadline on May 15th imposed by the E.U. for companies to cease business with Russia.