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Policy & Legal Updates

US Senators Urge Sanctions Targeting Intermediaries and Dual-Use Flows in China and UAE

Senior U.S. senators Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to enforce sanctions under the newly enacted Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The lawmakers called for penalizing front companies and intermediaries in Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as dual-use tech supply lines in China, the UAE, and Türkiye. The majority of the legislation's provisions enter into force on October 18, 2026.

Policy & Legal Updates

US Senators Demand Sanctions Enforcement on China and UAE Trade Intermediaries

US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker sent a letter urging the Trump administration to execute new sanctions ahead of an October 18 deadline. The lawmakers called for crackdowns on Russian oil trading intermediaries in Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as transit networks in China and the UAE. They also urged the Treasury Department to target illicit banking channels, specifically naming overseas branches including VTB Bank in Shanghai.

Industry News

Arctic Trade Route Surges as Shippers Seek Alternatives to Suez and Hormuz

Maritime traffic along Russia's Northern Sea Route reached 133 voyages in September, more than quadrupling the level from 2022 as operators seek alternatives to vulnerable Middle Eastern chokepoints. Chinese shipping operators are stepping up Arctic operations, with the container vessel Dubai Tower completing a 24-day journey from Qingdao to the UK. While Arctic transit reduces voyage lengths compared to Suez Canal routes, high operational costs and insurance considerations remain key challenges.