Two European liner agencies have withdrawn from representing sanctions-hit Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).
Hamburg-based Peter W Lampke (PWL) and Genoa-headquartered Fratelli Cosulich have until now served IRISL’s 10-day container service, which called at Antwerp, Hamburg and Genoa.
PWL represented IRISL in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and Fratelli Cosulich in Italy.
“In view of envisaged difficulties in future trade, both companies have come to the conclusion to stop the [agency] service and we have learned a smaller German company has taken over,” said Christian Koopmann, managing director of PWL and chairman of the Hamburg and Bremen Shipbrokers’ Association.
Careful response
Koopman’s carefully phrased comment reflects the fact that European legislation — the “blocking statute” — prevents companies from ending services specifically due to US sanctions.
Cargo is still flowing on IRISL’s boxships but companies are said to be increasingly concerned about what might happen in future.
Last week, TradeWinds reported on the US warning that the shipping community must stop dealing with IRISL and Iranian National Tanker Co (NITC).
The US Department of the Treasury has added 122 ships and 65 subsidiaries of IRISL to its sanctions list, including containership operator Hafez Darya Arya Shipping.
IRISL deploys three ships of about 2,500 teu on its service to European ports.
