US sanctions Singapore firm and over 20 others for aiding Iranian oil shipments to China

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The Online Citizen​

Singapore​

US sanctions Singapore firm and over 20 others for aiding Iranian oil shipments to China​

The US Treasury has sanctioned more than 20 entities, including Singapore’s CCIC Singapore Pte Ltd, for facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China, accusing them of disguising the oil’s origin and supporting Iran’s military activities. CCIC Singapore is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Certification and Inspection Corporation.

Published on 15 May 2025
By Yee Loon

The United States has imposed sanctions on more than 20 companies across several countries, including Singapore’s CCIC Singapore Pte Ltd, for allegedly helping Iran’s armed forces smuggle oil to China.

The US Department of the Treasury accused CCIC Singapore of facilitating multi-million-barrel shipments of Iranian oil.

These shipments were allegedly carried out on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and its commercial affiliate, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company.

According to its LinkedIn profile, CCIC Singapore is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Certification and Inspection Corporation (CCIC, 中国检验认证集团).

The CCIC Group operates an extensive and expanding network comprising more than 40 domestic subsidiaries, 25 overseas subsidiaries, and over 100 sub-branches and offices located across major global ports and trade centres.

The group employs approximately 25,000 staff worldwide and maintains around 300 offices and laboratories.

Allegations of falsified inspections and origin masking​

According to the Treasury Department, CCIC Singapore played a key role by providing cargo inspection services during critical transfers of Iranian oil.

In one such case in late 2024, it inspected approximately two million barrels of oil transferred from a sanctioned vessel, SIRI.

The oil, worth over US$130 million based on current prices, was sent to China under falsified documentation certifying it as Malaysian heavy crude. The vessel’s identity was also allegedly concealed during the process.

In mid-2024, CCIC Singapore provided inspection services for another sanctioned vessel, HECATE, under similarly deceptive practices.

Its China-based sister company, Huangdao Inspection and Certification Co Ltd, was also implicated for offering inspection services for sanctioned tankers from late 2023 through late 2024.

Part of a broader ‘shadow fleet’ network​

The sanctions form part of Washington’s effort to curtail what it describes as Iran’s shadow fleet — ageing tankers that often sail with tracking systems disabled.

These ships have been involved in unauthorised transfers in the South China Sea and lack proper ownership transparency, safety compliance, or insurance coverage.

The oil trade is believed to be funding Iran’s military activities, including the development of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and support for regional terrorist groups.

Sepehr Energy allegedly orchestrated the oil trade using an extensive network of front companies.

These included Hong Kong-based Xin Rui Ji Trad Co Ltd, Star Energy International Ltd, and Milen Trading Co Ltd, which facilitated transactions and oil deliveries to independent Chinese “teapot” refineries.

From mid-2023 to mid-2024, Sepehr Energy used these companies to store and transfer Iranian crude at Chinese ports including Qingdao and Rizhao.

Profits from these transactions were then remitted back to Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, managed by Sepehr Energy officials such as Elyas Nirumand Toomaj and Mohammad Khorasani Niasari.

Singapore’s Oriental Apple among designated buyers​

Singapore-based Oriental Apple Company Pte Ltd was also designated for allegedly receiving large quantities of Iranian oil.

It reportedly acted as a representative for small Chinese refineries and facilitated transactions through Sepehr Energy’s intermediaries.

Other companies named include Qingdao Fushen Petrochemical, which bought over US$138 million in oil from Sepehr Energy affiliates in early 2024. Transactions were coordinated with officials based in Dubai, the Treasury Department said.

The Treasury reiterated its commitment to enforcing these sanctions as part of its broader pressure campaign against Tehran.

According to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, “The United States will continue targeting this primary source of revenue, so long as the regime continues its support for terrorism and proliferation of deadly weapons.”