Compliance
AML and Sanctions Screening
Risk-based controls for parties, vessels, cargoes, payments and maritime activity.
By MarineClose Editorial Team · Reviewed by MarineClose Editorial Review
Published
Anti-money-laundering and sanctions controls are ongoing risk management. Applicable rules, lists and reporting duties differ by jurisdiction; obtain specialist advice for a particular transaction.
Screen the full transaction
Review legal entities, beneficial owners, signers, brokers, banks, vessels, IMO numbers where applicable, cargoes, ports and payment paths. Consider ownership and control rules, not only exact-name matches.
A result is a lead, not automatically a conclusion. Resolve potential matches using reliable identifiers and document the rationale, while escalating true or uncertain matches under the organization’s policy.
Monitor changes and red flags
Rescreen when a party, bank account, vessel flag, cargo, route or ownership changes. Unexpected third-party payments, opaque structures, unusual urgency and inconsistent explanations merit enhanced due diligence.
Do not use a checklist to bypass legal restrictions. Establish a stop-work and escalation path before an issue occurs.
Buyer checklist
- Screen parties, owners, banks, vessel and voyage data.
- Use unique identifiers to resolve possible matches.
- Assess ownership and control, not names alone.
- Rescreen material changes before release.
- Escalate uncertain or confirmed risk under policy.
Put the plan into a controlled workflow
Share a sourcing brief or create a transaction and coordinate parties, documents, diligence and closing milestones.
Related guidance
Maritime KYC
Identity verification practices that help transaction teams know who they are dealing with.
Maritime KYB
Business verification for owners, operators, brokers and transaction counterparties.
Vessel Due Diligence
A buyer-led investigation plan covering asset condition, title, operations and transaction readiness.