OFAC Issues General License for Certain Safety-Related Transactions With Blocked Vessels

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week issued Counter Terrorism General License 21, which authorizes certain transactions related to safety and environmental measures through Dec. 15 for certain vessels blocked by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. The license allows docking, repair, crew safety and "environmental mitigation or protection" activities related to vessels owned by Victor Artemov and other shipping companies: Azul Vista Shipping Corp., Blue Berri Shipping Inc., Harbour Ship Management Limited, Pontus Navigation Corp., Technology Bright International Ltd., Triton Navigation Corp., and Vista Clara Shipping Corp.

OFAC also published new frequently asked question 1097, which says the license is limited to specific safety operations and doesn't authorize the offloading of any cargo onboard any of the blocked vessels. After the expiration of the license at 12:01 a.m. EST on Dec. 15, persons will be prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the listed persons or vessels.