US eases Syrian energy sanctions

Following the ousting of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last month, the US Treasury has decided to ease some sanctions on the war-torn Middle Eastern nation. 

While most restrictions remain in place, a general license issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) yesterday allows transactions to support the sale, supply, storage and donation of energy to Syria, or within the country.

Shipping traffic into Syria has fallen off dramatically in the month since Assad fled Syria for Moscow with erstwhile close allies Russia and Iran forced to review their relationship with the country’s new rulers. 

Data provided to Splash by MarineTraffic shows that from December 8 till today just eight vessels have arrived at Syrian ports whereas from November 7 till December 7 2024 there were 27 vessel arrivals.