The sanctions target four vessels owned by Abdul Jalil Mallah, described by the Treasury as an "illicit shipping magnate" supporting Iran and its affiliates. His brother, Luay al-Mallah, who manages Oryx Denizcilik in Turkey, was also added to the sanctions list for involvement in these shipping operations.
The Mallah family vessels now under sanction include the 47,200-dwt tanker Confidence P (built 1999), the 8,955-dwt Queen Reem (built 1997), the 3,481-dwt Rival (built 1994), and the 113,000-dwt Tiyara (built 2002). Previously, in 2021, Abdul Jalil Mallah was sanctioned for aiding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force and the Houthis.
Linked Shipowners
The Treasury alleges Luay al-Mallah assisted in shipping for Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal, using vessels like the Tiyara.
Additionally, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned China-based Star Ocean Shipmanagement and three vessels it manages, including the 309,000-dwt tanker Eternal Success (built 2005), which is accused of manipulating its transponder data to facilitate illicit oil transfers.
Other Star Ocean vessels sanctioned include the 106,000-dwt Eternal 8 (built 2002) and the 160,000-dwt Eternal Peace (built 2004).
Two shipowning companies were also sanctioned: Marshall Islands-based Dragon Road, which owns the 281,000-dwt tanker Serene 1 (built 2000), and Hong Kong’s Tai Feng Hai Shipping, owner of the 299,000-dwt tanker Feng Tai (built 2002).
Both companies were accused of using their vessels to transport goods linked to Hezbollah.