The U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") designated two shipping companies based in China for allegedly helping North Korea evade U.S. sanctions.
In a related action, OFAC, the U.S. State Department and U.S. Coast Guard updated their North Korean shipping advisory by adding vessels that have allegedly engaged in "ship-to-ship" transfers with North Korea tankers of North Korean exported coal. The updated advisory also includes new information on North Korea's deceptive shipping practices and provides guidance on how to alleviate the risk of involvement in these practices.
Separately, OFAC sanctioned three senior Democratic Republic of the Congo officials for undermining the country's elections. As a result of OFAC's action, all of the designated persons' assets within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. individuals are generally barred from engaging in transactions with these persons.
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