Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
A Yemeni government source, in statements reported by Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed newspaper, revealed the presence of a commercial vessel subject to recent U.S. sanctions that had docked at the port of Mokha on Yemen’s western coast, indicating that it entered the port using forged documents and shipping papers.
According to the source, the recently announced U.S. sanctions highlighted the vessel’s connection to an international network accused of transporting and marketing Iranian gas, prompting calls to tighten oversight of ship and cargo movements arriving at ports located within areas under the influence of the Yemeni government.
The source, who requested anonymity, stated that the vessel entered the port of Mokha with loading documents attributed to the Sultanate of Oman, noting that its estimated value is approximately $18 million, while its commercial cargo is valued at around $12 million.
He also pointed to circulating information about suspicions of facilitation for the transit of gas-related shipments to areas under Houthi control, describing this as an attempt to circumvent U.S. sanctions and procedures, without providing additional details.
The newspaper reported that the U.S. sanctions included the vessel “GAZ GMS,” with maritime navigation data showing it was recently at the port of Mokha to offload a commercial shipment. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the vessel is part of a network accused of participating in the transport of thousands of tons of Iranian gas, the proceeds of which Washington says are used to finance sanctioned activities.
The report added that the vessel is connected to a commercial network known as “Botani,” based in the UAE, while sanctions also targeted a number of individuals and entities associated with the management and operation of ships involved in transporting Iranian products.
According to the source quoted by the newspaper, the vessel had visited the port of Hudaidah multiple times over the past two years, noting that its owning network is considered one of the most prominent entities involved in the trade and shipping of Iran-linked products to the region.
In the same context, observers warned of the potential future expansion of U.S. sanctions to include transport, financing, logistics networks, and intermediaries associated with these activities, calling on relevant authorities and the private sector to enhance verification and scrutiny procedures regarding cargo sources and the owning and operating entities of vessels arriving at Yemeni ports.
