Seaways-San-Saba

The Houthi-aligned Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) has designated 13 entities, nine individuals, and two vessels for sanctions related to US crude oil exports, according to a statement released on Sep 30. The sanctions were targeting major U.S. energy companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum, along with their top executives, accusing them of violating a decree prohibiting the export of US crude oil. Among the individuals sanctioned were oil industry executives including Darren Wayne Woods of ExxonMobil, Michael Karl Wirth of Chevron, and Ryan Michael Lance of ConocoPhillips. The sanctions also target two crude oil tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged 'Seaways San Saba', en route from Rotterdam to Georgetown as of Oct 1, and the 'Seaways Brazos' (IMO: 9594731), which arrived in Acu enroute from Canaport on Sep 30 ,which both were linked to the US-based Diamond S Shipping Inc. The HOCC liaises between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators and is associated with the Houthi military. The Yemen-based terrorist group has also claimed responsibility for the attack on the cargo m/v 'Minervagracht' (IMO: 9571521). On Sep 30, a Houthi spokesperson said the group targeted the vessel with a cruise missile over the shipowners’ violation of its ban on ports of "occupied Palestine".