Gov’t links refusal to license Mohamed’s foreign-flagged vessels to US sanctions

Last Updated on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 22:07 by Writer

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Monday linked its refusal to permit several foreign-flagged vessels to operate in domestic waters to United States (US) sanctions on Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed as well as companies owned or controlled by them.

MARAD noted that last June the United States Government, through the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), announced sanctions against the Mohameds for their alleged involvement in large-scale tax evasion, gold smuggling, money laundering and other forms of public corruption in Guyana

Sanctions were also extended to Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, all of which are entities owned or controlled by the Mohameds. MARAD also noted.

“In view of these developments, and in adherence to OFAC’s advisory warning that “financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action,” MARAD has taken the decision not to renew the cabotage permission previously granted to Hadi’s World,” the regulatory agency said.

The Mohameds have not been charged locally with any offence and the latest word from the Guyana government was that it was awaiting information from the US to conduct its own investigations locally.

Almost immediately, after the OFAC sanctions had been announced in June, government pulled a foreign currency dealer’s licence and moved to take action against gold trading operations by Mohamed-linked entities.

Notably, two months after the US sanctions, MARAD had written to Secretary/Director of Hadi’s World, Azruddin Mohamed informing him that the cabotage permit had been extended from August 13, 2024, to February 12, 2025. A maritime sector official had told Demerara Waves Online News that the vessels were being used to haul stone aggregate for a “national project”.

MARAD said that permission, which allowed foreign-flagged vessels to operate on coastal voyages in Guyana’s waters, expired on February 12, 2025, and has not been extended.

Accordingly, MARAD said any foreign-flagged vessel currently operating on behalf of Hadi’s World within Guyana’s maritime space, including Motor Tugs — Amelia and Machelo, and Deck Barges: Miriam and Carmelia — is doing so illegally.

“MARAD remains committed to upholding the integrity of Guyana’s maritime operations and ensuring full compliance with both national laws and international obligations,” that regulatory agency said.