Panama ramps up crackdown on sanctioned vessels: Panama’s Maritime Authority has removed 214 vessels from its registry since it started adopting measures in 2024 to enforce US sanctions — reaching a total of 650 removed vessels since 2019, Reuters reports. The move comes as the authority aims to impose stricter regulations on its flagged ships after receiving criticism for facilitating Iran’s oil trade. Targeted vessels will not be able to sail under Panama’s flag once taken out of the registry.

Washington’s out for Iranian crude-carrying vessels: The US has been pushing the authority to crack down on ship-to-ship operations between Panama-flagged vessels — a practice usually adopted by shippers carrying sanctioned oil. It imposed sanctions on three vessels and their owners in April that had reportedly delivered refined petroleum products to the Houthis-controlled port of Ras Isa in Yemen. Earlier in February, 20 entities involved with

Iran’s shadow fleet were sanctioned. The US is also reportedly considering a plan to stop-and-search Iran’s crude oil vessels at sea.

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