United Arab Shipping Company (UASC)

On June 23, 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Tidewater Middle East Co. (“Tidewater”), Iran’s major port operator, because the IRGC owns it and uses it for illicit activities including weapons shipments. (U.S. Department of the Treasury Press Center, “Treasury Sanctions Major Iranian Commercial Entities,” 6/23/11)  The EU followed with its own sanctions against Tidewater on January 23, 2012. (Official Journal or the European Union: Council Decision 2012/35/CFSP) (http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1217.aspx) (http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1217.aspx) (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:019:0022:0030:EN:PDF)

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"Kuwait-headquartered United Arab Shipping Co (UASC), which is among the world's biggest 20 container lines, said last month it had suspended all services to and from Iran. 'We now find ourselves in the peculiar situation where even if we are carrying non-sanctioned cargo to non-sanctioned entities, the cargo will eventually have to be handled by a party which the U.S. government considers as providing financial support to a sanctioned party,' it said. In a company memo seen by Reuters, UASC added: 'With the passing of the NDAA ... the difficulties in shipping cargo to and from Iran have only increased.'" (Reuters, "Iran faces fresh trade heat as more shipping firms exit," 5/7/2013)  (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/iran-shipping-idUSL6N0DI1KZ20130507)

Operates as a feeder in Iranian ports.  (Ports and Maritime Organization: Shipping Lines which operating in Iranian Ports) (http://portaffairs.pmo.ir/portaffairsdepartment-shippinglines-en.html)

Uses Tidewater Middle East Co.’s private terminals in the Shahid Rajaee Port Complex. (Tidewater: Reflection of Tomorrow) (http://mytcts.com/MYTCTS_Static/Introduction/Files/TidewaterProfile.pdf)