- SDN designations have immediate commercial
Sanctions
How sanctions transformed the shipping industry in 2025
Key takeaways:
- EU and UK sanctions now increasingly target the full maritime logistics chain, including third country actors
- Shadow-fleet measures have intensified scrutiny on vessels and operators
- Compliance has become central to commercial decision-making
New EU deal fast-tracks the permanent phase-out of Russian gas
The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional political agreement to permanently end all imports of Russian natural gas into the EU on an accelerated timetable. The deal brings forward key deadlines for LNG and pipeline gas, tightens limits on contract amendments, enhances anti-circumvention and origin-tracking rules, and strengthens enforcement with significant penalties. Member…
EU introduces safeguard measures on ferro-alloys imports
Yesterday, the European Union adopted safeguard measures (C/2025/7842) to curb imports of manganese- and silicon-based ferro-alloys, key alloying inputs for the European steel industry. The decision follows a surge in imports and forms part of a broader policy response to global overcapacity and shifting trade flows in the steel sector. The measures take…
Regulation to phase out Russian gas imports backed by EU Council
Following the EU’s existing embargo on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, the European Commission has proposed, and the Council has now agreed in principle, a complementary Regulation designed to end the remaining inflows of Russian natural gas into the Union. The measure gives legal effect to the Commission’s May 2025 Roadmap towards ending Russian…
New requirements for importing CN code 2710 cargo into the EU from 21 January 2026
Key Takeaways
- The measure seeks to close remaining ‘loopholes’ in the EU’s Russian oil embargo and maintain consistency with allied sanctions.
- The safe-harbour country presumption eases compliance for imports from established crude exporters but can be rebutted by competent Member State authorities.
- Risk-based due diligence remains essential: importers must be ready to demonstrate non-Russian origin if challenged.
- Companies should now review supply chains, update contractual clauses, and ensure they can substantiate origin claims in due course.
- On 15 October 2025, the UK announced intent to impose similar measures in due course.
UK Sanctions – Rosneft, Lukoil and others
In continuation of the UK’s sanctions restrictions against Russia, on 15 October 2025, the UK imposed further sanctions on various entities and vessels.
The headline designations include:
- PJSC Rosneft Oil Company
- Nayara Energy Limited (which was already subject to EU asset freeze restrictions)
- Alghaf Marine DMCC
- PJSC Lukoil
In some regards, these designations mirror the intent of the EU (noting their upcoming 19th sanctions package is intended to impose a full transaction ban on Russian oil majors), signaling joint efforts on the sanctions efforts against Russia between the UK and EU in recent months.
Continue Reading UK Sanctions – Rosneft, Lukoil and othersBIS relaxes export controls on Syria
- New License
Refusing voyage orders: Sanctions risk assessments must be based on evidence, not speculation
Tonzip Maritime Ltd v. 2Rivers Pte Ltd (formerly Coral Energy Pte Ltd) [2025] EWHC 2036 (Comm)
A. Key facts
On 5 November 2021, Tonzip Maritime Ltd (Owners), owner of the vessel CATALAN SEA (the Vessel), entered into a voyage charterparty with 2Rivers Pte Ltd (formerly Coral Energy Pte Ltd) (2Rivers) for the carriage of oil from Primorsk, Russia, to Aliaga, Turkey (the Charterparty).
Continue Reading Refusing voyage orders: Sanctions risk assessments must be based on evidence, not speculationEU-nough Russian Oil – EU’s 18th Sanctions Package
On 18 July 2025, the EU announced the 18th sanctions package against Russia and Belarus. The legislative texts were published on 19 July 2025. As of this date, the latest restrictions indicate a misalignment between the EU / UK, and other G7 members, including the United States.
Continue Reading EU-nough Russian Oil – EU’s 18th Sanctions Package