Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Tinos-I

The owners of the tanker 'Tinos I' have filed a legal response opposing a lawsuit brought forth by Vitol, alleging that the company is trying to exploit U.S. sanctions to orchestrate a forced sale of the vessel. In their court documents, the owners argue that Vitol is attempting to leverage the sanctions to purchase the ship at auction following its sale. They are requesting the court to dismiss the orders for the vessel’s arrest and attachment, claiming these actions are unlawful without prior authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This attachment was previously ordered by a judge in August, who ruled that such measures were not permissible without explicit OFAC consent. The ongoing legal dispute centers on Vitol’s alleged intent to compel the sale of the tanker, which has been anchored off the coast of Houston since its arrival on its maiden voyage in June 2024. The tanker was sanctioned on April 22, 2025, as part of OFAC's actions against Iranian businessman Seyed Assadolah Emamjomeh and his associated businesses located in Iran, the UK, and the UAE, including the designation of his son, Meisam Emamjomeh. This action forms part of the U.S. administration's maximum pressure campaign against Iran, enacted through Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets specific sectors of the Iranian economy. The vessel is subject to a potential sale authorized by a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's OFAC, issued on May 20. This license outlines various transactions allowed concerning the vessel, stipulating that net proceeds from any sale must be deposited into a blocked, interest-bearing account at a U.S. financial institution. Additionally, the sale is restricted to U.S. parties, prohibiting any entry into contracts with sanctioned individuals. OFAC also permits the vessel to dock safely, undergo emergency repairs, and engage in environmental protection efforts, along with essential services for crew welfare such as provisioning and bunkering.