The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday, October 8, that it had imposed new sanctions on 17 vessels linked to exports of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals. The measures also target several companies that own and operate the vessels.

According to an official Treasury Department statement, the action was taken as part of an “economic exclusion” campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil revenues and disrupting the activities of the so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of tankers and shipping companies that Washington says operates to evade sanctions.

Reuters reported that the sanctioned vessels sail under the flags of various countries and include the tankers Paritosh, Bitu and Gas Lucky. At the same time, the US Treasury removed two other vessels from its sanctions list following changes in ownership and their departure from the sanctioned network.