UANI has asserted the risk of Ignazio Messina’s involvement in the country, claiming “that its vessels and services may be misusued in pursuit of the regime’s illicit agenda,” and that it also “violates EU sanctions.”
Ignazio Messina, which operates container and Ro-Ro services at Bandar Abbas port – through which 90% of Iranian container cargo passes. In an earlier rebuattal of UANI’s allegations in early July, the firm stated that "Till December 2012 the Terminal Operators assisting our vessels were Messrs Faraz Royal Qeshim. We confirm that both Iranian Companies [including the new Terminal Operator] are private and… are [not] among the Iranian Firms shown on the black list." However, the response was deemed insufficient.
In a letter of response to ceo Stefano Messina, the Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, ceo of UANI, wrote: “UANI must bring to your attention that contrary to your assertion, Faraz Royal Qeshm is in fact very much related to the Tidewater Middle East Company. Faraz Royal Qeshm was established seven days after the U.S. measure - and seven months prior to the implementation of the EU equivalent injunction - as a front company for Tidewater in an obvious attempt to evade sanctions. By engaging Faraz Royal Qeshm as the terminal operator for your vessels, Ignazio Messina does indeed appear to be in violation of EU (and US) sanctions.”
UANI has requested a response from Ignazio Messina by 8 August 2013.
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