Sri Lanka Warns Maritime Sector Over US Iranian Sanctions

The Government of Sri Lanka issued an official clarification warning local maritime, shipping, and logistics companies that they may face financial penalties or lose access to the US financial system if they provide services to sanctioned Iranian vessels. The guidance specifically urges port authorities and businesses in the Colombo Port to screen vessels against the US Office of Foreign Assets Control lists to avoid inadvertent violations.

This move follows reports that the United States pressured Colombo to block the provision of food, fuel, and fresh water to approximately 20 stranded Iranian oil tankers located 24 kilometers off Sri Lanka's southwestern coast. While the US Embassy in Colombo warned that servicing these vessels carries significant risk, Sri Lankan authorities noted that the tankers are outside their 12-nautical-mile territorial waters. The vessels were previously transporting Iranian crude to Asian markets, primarily China, before being disrupted by a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

To assist with enforcement, the US Embassy conducted a training program from September 9 to 11 for over 40 Sri Lankan officials on detecting maritime sanctions evasion. Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo stated that the secondary sanctions are part of a global policy and do not specifically target Sri Lanka. The government aims to protect local businesses and maintain credibility with Western financial institutions during its ongoing economic recovery.