The U.S. Treasury has added Shipmanager Orom to its sanctions list for its ties to funding Houthi activities.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has added 18 individuals, companies, and a vessel to its sanctions list. This action stems from allegations of their connections to the “Saeed Al-Jamal” shipping network, an Iran-backed oil smuggling organization that funds the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen. This latest move represents a continuation of the U.S. government’s efforts to disrupt illicit trade networks.

Details of the Smuggling Network

Saeed Al-Jamal, a Yemeni national, operates a complex network of companies and vessels that smuggle petroleum products and other sanctioned goods to buyers across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He collaborates with Turkish trader Abdi Nasser Ali Mahmoud, whose businesses reportedly serve as a front for Al-Jamal’s operations, according to the Treasury Department. Other notable members of this network include UAE-based traders Abdu Abdullah Dael Ahmed and Konstantinos Stavridis, both of whom were also added to the U.S. sanctions list on Thursday.

Official Statements on Houthi Activities

Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, “Despite calls for negotiations to end this devastating conflict, Houthi leaders continue to launch rockets and drone attacks against Yemen’s neighbors, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians. Houthi leaders must halt their violent campaign and negotiate in good faith to resolve the conflict.”

Sanctions on Aurum Ship Management

The Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Aurum Ship Management, a UAE-based company accused of generating millions in profits by managing vessels linked to Al-Jamal and Mahmoud. The sanctioned vessels include the Cameroonian-flagged Victoria 1, as well as Light Moon, Three, and Triple Success, which already faced sanctions.

Errors in Vessel Registration

According to The Maritime Executive, the Treasury Department appears to have misidentified the current registration details for the Victoria 1. The vessel’s name and flag changed two years ago, as per the Equasis database of the International Maritime Organization.

Bribery Allegations and Operations

The Treasury alleges that Aurum employees bribed authorities responsible for flagging to ignore the sanctions evasion activities conducted by Al-Jamal’s network. However, the department did not specify which authorities were involved, noting that Aurum operates under various flags, particularly Gabon.

Additionally, Aurum allegedly manages vessels that transport oil directly to ports controlled by the Houthis in Yemen, not just to foreign clients.

Further Sanctions on Company Officials

The Treasury also blacklisted Chiranjiv Kumar Singh, the managing director of Aurum, along with the associated company Peridot Shipping and Trading.

History of Maritime Incidents

Aurum Ship Management has faced scrutiny due to several maritime incidents. The company managed the VLCC Zoya 1, which caught fire in 2020 and was declared a total loss. It also oversaw the bitumen tanker Reem 5, which sank off the coast of India in January 2020. Previously, Aurum managed the bitumen tanker Aashi, which ran aground in 2023.

 

The U.S. Treasury’s latest sanctions highlight ongoing efforts to combat illicit oil smuggling operations that support terrorism and destabilize regions. As the situation evolves, the international community continues to monitor these developments closely.

 

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