As per the press release from US Treasury, Bulk Carrier MV Shun Kai Xing, Owners Unico Shipping, Manager Athena Shipping and Charterers V-Shipping PTE LTD has been Sanctioned under OFAC for allegedly involved in Procuring Sensitive Machinery for Iran’s Defense Industry. Along with them other entities and individuals also have been sanctioned.
As per the press release, in late 2024, Panama-flagged bulk carrier SHUN KAI XING was carrying sensitive goods bound for Iran. RRA and Towse Sanaye Nim Resanaye Tarashe were Iran-based consignees listed on bills-of-lading of shipments aboard the SHUN KAI XING.
China-based Futech Co Limited shipped the items to be sent to Towse Sanaye Nim Resanaye Tarashe aboard the SHUN KAI XING. Futech Co Limited has previously conducted multiple direct exports of proliferation-sensitive items, such as electronic cutting machines and integrated circuit parts, to Iran-based Rayan Fan Kav Andish.
China-based Dongguan Zanyin Machinery and Equipment Co Ltd shipped the items to be sent to RRA.
Hong Kong-based Unico Shipping Co Ltd (Unico Shipping) has been the registered owner of the SHUN KAI XING since April 2024. Hong Kong-based Athena Shipping Co Ltd (Athena Shipping) has been the operator and ship manager of the SHUN KAI XING since April 2024. In response to an inspection of the SHUN KAI XING’s sensitive cargo bound for Iran, Unico Shipping prepared to obfuscate the Iranian clients through the falsification of the shipping paperwork, with the intent to later facilitate the shipments to Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Singapore-based V-Shipping PTE LTD (V-Shipping) was the charterer of the SHUN KAI XING for the attempted shipment to Iran and was directly involved in the coordination of cargo consigned to OFAC-designated entities. V-Shipping was aware that it was part of the charterer’s responsibility to ensure that shippers and consignees for cargo were not on sanctions lists.
China-based Shenzhen Xinxin Shipping Co Ltd (Shenzhen Xinxin) was directly involved in the coordination of the cargo consigned to OFAC-designated entities with V-Shipping. Shenzhen Xinxin was aware that their conduct regarding the shipment of items for OFAC-designated entities could lead to their own company being sanctioned and created risks that the cargo could be seized. Shenzhen Xinxin was also involved in attempts to obfuscate the Iranian clients of the shipments after the vessel’s cargo was inspected.
Chinese national Zhang Yanbang (Yanbang) was the shipmaster of the SHUN KAI XING while it transported materials for RRA. Yanbang was aware the cargo was destined for Iran and an agent acting on behalf of Yanbang submitted falsified bills of lading that removed RRA and Iran-based Towse Sanaye Nim Resanaye Tarashe as the consignees of the cargo.
Turkiye-based Edisa Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Edisa) was used to obfuscate that the cargo in one of the bills-of-lading was consigned to RRA, as part of the effort to purposely revise the bills-of-lading after the shipment was inspected. Edisa had previously sent a shipment to a subsidiary of Rayan Fan Kav Andish, Fanavarihaye Hava Pishran Sazeh Sepehr, which was designated on May 31, 2024 pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rayan Fan Kav Andish.
Unico Shipping Co Ltd, Athena Shipping Co Ltd, Zhang Yanbing, Dongguan Zanyin Machinery and Equipment Co Ltd, V-Shipping Pte Ltd, Shenzhen Xinxin Shipping Co Ltd, and Edisa Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological, or other support for, or goods or services in support of, RRA. The SHUN KAI XING is being identified as property in which Unico Shipping Co Ltd has an interest.