The agency, part of the US Treasury Department, issued amended regulations today that authorise general licenses for vessels for “carrier services” to Cuba, making it easier for shipowners to set up services to country for previously authorised purposes.
The change means that shipowners will not need to ask Ofac for pre-approval by applying for a “specific license” to travel to Cuba.
The amended regulation also allows ships to provide lodging services in Cuba, though it still does not allow cruiseships to carry passengers to the island for tourism.
“Broadly, the new amendments work to facilitate already authorised activities, expand the scope of certain general licenses, and further remove restrictions on remittances,” wrote law firm Reed Smith in a note to clients. “The new amendments are not a wholesale overhaul of the Cuba sanctions and export control programs – the embargo is largely still in place.”
The publication of the amendments marks another step in gradually easing sanctions on Cuba since US President Barack Obama announced last year that he would seek to normalise the relationship with the country.
In January, Ofac published amendments to current rules that made it easier for travellers to visit the island and easing rules that prevented foreign ships that called in Cuba from continuing on to the United States.
New rules announced
The Treasury Department announced last week that it would implement the new rules rules.
“The regulations published today are designed to empower the Cuban people and support the emerging Cuban private sector, bringing us one step closer to achieving President Obama's historic policy goals,” said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker (pictured).
“These actions build upon previous Commerce regulatory revisions, and will ease restrictions on authorised travel, enhance the safety of Americans travelling to the country, and allow more business opportunities for the nascent Cuban private sector.”
The US cruiseship and ferry sectors are viewing Cuba as a promising new market, but so far changes to US policy have not opened the door wide enough to allow traditional cruise services to the island.
Carnival had already received approval for its Fathom brand to begin taking passengers, but only for permitted “social impact” activities.
