The US has sanctioned an Indian couple and nine entities linked to them for allegedly providing fraudulent registrations to ships carrying Iranian oil, helping them evade sanctions imposed by Washington, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.
The sanctions target Chandigarh-based businessman Suniel Kumar Sharma and his wife, Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, who allegedly operated a network supplying false flags and maritime certificates to sanctioned vessels, including those linked to Iran’s military and affiliated groups. Their two Indian associates were also designated.
Eight of the nine designated entities are based in India, and one is registered in Singapore.
The action is part of Operation Economic Outcast, launched in August to restrict Iran’s oil revenues and target networks allegedly helping Tehran evade US sanctions.
The couple allegedly established websites claiming to represent the maritime authorities in countries including Guyana, Aruba, and Nicaragua, and offered ship registration, seafarer certification, and other services without authorization from the governments concerned, the Treasury said.
The registrations allegedly allowed the vessels to operate under the flags of countries that had not authorized them, and bypass maritime restrictions.
Sharma’s Indian-based Oceaniek Technologies allegedly provided false flags to sanctioned tankers including Lattafa and Vera. The company he established in Singapore reportedly supplied registration services to Ping Shun, a vessel that transported Iranian oil.
The network came under scrutiny in India when the Indian Coast Guard intercepted a vessel, the Al Jafzia, which received registration documents from a website linked to Oceaniek Technologies.
Indian nationals Ashwani Kumar Dhiman and Ishwinder Singh, who served as directors of businesses linked to the couple, were also sanctioned.
The measures block assets belonging to the designated individuals and companies within US jurisdiction and generally prohibit American businesses from dealing with them.
Washington also warned shipping companies and insurers about the risks of fraudulent vessel registrations, including possible sanctions violations and invalid insurance coverage.
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