UK Publishes Amber Alert on Sanctions Networks and Shadow Fleets

3 UK governmental entities - the National Crime Agency, OFSI and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development, have published a joint Amber Alert with the aim of raising “…awareness and share information, helping maritime and financial institutions identify and prevent sanctions evasion involving commodities and financial transactions by networks and shadow fleets that support sanctioned regimes”.

The new Alert expands on a previous joint Red Alert published in July 2025 which focussed on identifying practices used by Russian sanctions evasion and avoidance networks. Similarly the new Alert highlights methods that have been adopted by countries including Russia, Iran and North Korea, to engage in illicit trade, including the use of opaque corporate structures, covert financial systems and deceptive shipping practices.

The new Alert includes guidance for shipowners and operators to help identify potential issues when fixing or performing trades, which Members may find useful to incorporate into their own sanctions due diligence programmes.