US Sanctions Shipping Network Moving Oil for Houthis
The U.S. last week sanctioned four people, 12 entities, and two vessels that have imported oil and other goods for the Houthis in what was the “single largest action” taken by the Office of Foreign Assets Control against the Yemen-based designated terror group. OFAC said the designations target Houthi front companies, their owners, and other “key” operatives that generate revenue for the group through sales of oil and other commodities on Yemen’s black market and through smuggling at Houthi-controlled ports.
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Among those sanctioned was Black Diamond Petroleum Derivatives, a Sana’a, Yemen-based company that facilitates oil sales and payments, and Star Plus Yemen, a Hudaydah, Yemen-based company that operates under the direction of U.S.-sanctioned Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam and other Houthi officials. The agency also sanctioned Tamco Establishment for Oil Derivatives, Royal Plus Shipping Services and Commercial Agencies, Yahya Al-Usaili Company for Import Limited, Gasoline Aman Company for Oil Derivatives Imports, Azzahra Establishment for Commerce and Agencies for being Houthi front companies.
Yemen Elaph Petroleum Derivatives Import is a Sana’a-based oil import company owned by Houthi operative Abdullah Ahsan Abdullah Dabbash. OFAC said the company imports, sells and distributes oil derivatives on the black market in Houthi-controlled areas.
The agency also designated shipping firm Abbot Trading Co., Ltd. and its two directors, Houthi businessman Ali Ahmed Daghsan Talea and his brother Daghsan Ahmed Daghsan. OFAC also sanctioned Zaid Al-Washli, the head of the Houthi-aligned port management company that controls operations at key Houthi-controlled ports.
Best Way Tanker Corp. and Ocean Voyage LLC helped deliver gasoline to the Houthi-controlled port of Ras Isa on the vessel Valente, and Atlantis M. Shipping Co helped deliver refined petroleum products into Ras Isa on the vessel the Atlantis MZ. OFAC said Valente delivered the gasoline in May, one month after the expiration of General License 25A, which had authorized the delivery and offloading of certain refined petroleum products in Yemen (see 2503110011).
OFAC also changed the entry for Tulip Bz, a previously designated vessel, to reflect its recent name change to the Sarah. The agency said it also delivered liquid petroleum gas to Ras Isa after the expiration of GL 25A, and in June 2025 it was again at berth in Ras Isa to deliver LPG.