The HOCC in Sana’a has imposed sanctions against 13 companies, nine executives and two ships. The sanctions affect major US energy companies and a shipping company that are accused of violating the export ban on American crude oil that has been in force since May 17.
The companies listed include almost all of the leading corporations in the US oil industry: ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, Valero, Occidental Petroleum and Pioneer Natural Resources. Midstream operators such as Enterprise Products, Energy Transfer, EPIC and GCC Supply & Trading are also mentioned. According to the statement, these companies have facilitated the export of millions of barrels of US crude oil via ports and pipelines through their logistics and marketing activities.
Top managers also on sanctions list
In addition to the companies, the HOCC also lists their top managers personally – including ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods, Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance and other CEOs and presidents of major oil companies. In addition, Kent Britton, Managing Director of the Port of Corpus Christi, was listed because, according to the HOCC, he “contributed significantly to the export of millions of barrels of US crude oil” by handling hundreds of shipments.
Shipping is also directly affected: The tankers “Seaways San Saba” and “Seaways Brazos” of the US shipping company Diamond S Shipping were added to the sanctions list as assets. Both ships had taken on cargoes of American crude oil in the port of Houston in July, thereby circumventing the ban.
Response to sanctions by the US Treasury Department
The HOCC justifies the measure with the principle of reciprocity. This was in response to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department, which added several Yemeni companies and ships to the OFAC sanctions lists between June and September. At the same time, the HOCC referred to the legal basis in Yemeni Law No. 5 of 1445 AH, which classifies countries, organizations and individuals as “hostile to the Republic of Yemen”.
The sanctions include a ban on all transactions with the listed companies, individuals and ships. Transactions via third parties, front companies or intermediaries are also prohibited. According to the HOCC, the aim is not primarily to punish, but to “change the behavior” of the companies concerned.
The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) was established by presidential decision on February 17, 2024 and is based at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Sanaa. The aim of the institution is to mitigate the humanitarian impact of military operations on civilians and civilian objects – in accordance with Islamic principles and international humanitarian law. In addition, the HOCC coordinates air and maritime security measures, responds to inquiries, provides advice and issues so-called Safe Transit Permits on request for ships that are traveling outside declared restricted zones and wish to have their safe passage through the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea confirmed.
