Bureau Veritas pledges to end certification of Iranian Vessels, oil tankers

French shipping service, Bureau Veritas (BV) has "decided to disengage completely from all marine activities related to Iran."

This follows United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) informing Bureau Veritas last week that its certification activities were in violation of EU sanctions.

UANI has launched its shipping certification campaign in early May. Bureau Veritas has assured UANI that the pledge specifically includes "all vessels of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and of its subsidiaries, irrespective of their flags," as well as all and the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) vessels. While applauding the cerification agency for ending its certification of Iranian vessels, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D.

Wallace said, "The international community must focus specifically on the shipping industry, to deny the Iranian regime access to global trade and seaborne crude oil exports. Aligned nations should prohibit all international cargo shippers that service Iranian ports from shipping to the US, EU and elsewhere. By cutting off Iran's shipping access, the world can further isolate the regime and hamper its nuclear program and support for terrorists ." UANI has highlighted the shipping industry as an area where the international community can further pressure Iran.