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CCIC Singapore says it laid off staff as US sanctions over Iran oil shipments hit harder than expected
The China-linked Singapore firm is among 15 companies blacklisted by the US in May for helping to conceal the origins of Iranian oil being shipped to China.
The entrance of CCIC Singapore's office on Jun 9, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Justin Ong)
Daphne Yow & Justin Ong Guang-Xi
09 Jun 2025 03:00PM (Updated: 09 Jun 2025 04:36PM)
SINGAPORE: Cargo inspection company CCIC Singapore, which recently laid off hundreds of workers, said on Monday (Jun 9) that it had to do so as the impact of sanctions from the United States turned out to be far greater than expected, and that it has ceased operations in Singapore.
The China-linked, Singapore-based firm was among 15 companies blacklisted by the US on May 13 for helping to conceal the origins of Iranian oil being shipped to China.
"Due to the direct impact of US sanctions, the company’s bank accounts have been frozen, resulting in an inability to repatriate revenue or cover expenses. This has led to a breakdown in cash flow, loss of clients and severe disruption to overall operations," the company told CNA in a statement in Chinese.
"Against this backdrop, the company has been forced to initiate business liquidation and staff reductions. The primary reason is that the impact of the sanctions has far exceeded expectations - banks have ceased providing services, and salaries and operational costs can no longer be paid."
CCIC Singapore said that it will disburse salaries for the month of May and part of the severance payments to each affected employee within three days. Notices sent to employees stated that retrenchment benefits would only be fully paid after the liquidation process was complete, with an estimated date of Jun 30, 2026.
Two employees earlier told CNA that CCIC Singapore has over 400 workers in Singapore and Malaysia, with the majority based in Singapore. Another employee said the firm has more than 300 workers in Singapore alone.
The company added on Monday that it has made the "difficult" decision to terminate its Singapore operations after "thorough deliberation".
"This decision was extremely challenging for the management team, but it is a rational choice that had to be made under the current circumstances," it said.
CCIC Singapore is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise headquartered in Beijing.
Asked for its comments on the US accusations and whether it intends to appeal, the company said it has "consistently required its subsidiaries to comply with the applicable laws and regulations of their host countries and other relevant jurisdictions".
It added that it will continue to "manage all related matters in accordance with the law and maintain ongoing communication with all relevant parties".
When CNA visited CCIC’s office at Science Park Drive at about 3.30pm on Monday, an employee who came to the door said she was the only person in the office as people were on a day off in lieu of the Hari Raya Haji public holiday.
She said more colleagues will be back in the office on Tuesday. However, CNA noticed at least one more staff member in the office.
The first employee told CNA that her department, which inspects machinery before it is exported to China, is still in operation, although several of her colleagues have been retrenched.
Asked if her remaining colleagues were unhappy about the tariff situation leading to the company’s liquidation, she said: "If not happy, actually there are, but we won’t present our emotions."
She did not confirm how many were still employed. She also did not reply when asked if others in her department staff would eventually be laid off.
She left to take a call, and the lights in the office were turned off at about 3.45pm.
No one was seen leaving the office from the front door when CNA left at 4.30pm. A staff member of a neighbouring office unit told CNA that the offices have a back door.
