Yemeni maritime enforcement against sanctioned vessels

Yemeni authorities have taken enforcement actions against maritime vessels in the Gulf of Aden and at the port of Aden, citing sanctions violations and safety concerns.

In late August, the Yemeni Ministry of Transport suspended fuel bunkering operations for the tanker ‘DORIN’ in Aden. The suspension followed investigations by the General Authority for Maritime Affairs, which identified the vessel as being on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s sanctions list. Authorities also noted discrepancies regarding the ship’s registration, frequent changes in ownership, and deficiencies in safety and operational procedures identified during a Port State Control inspection.

By early September, the Yemeni Coast Guard seized the oil tanker ‘Nereida’ in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, which is also subject to U.S. sanctions, was intercepted after departing the Houthi-controlled port of Ras Issa. Officials reported that the tanker had discharged unauthorized cargo without government or United Nations approval, disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking, and that armed guards on board fired shots at a Coast Guard patrol boat before complying with orders. The tanker has been escorted to Aden for further investigation.