You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence World News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features World VIEWPOINT: The Challenge of Staying Clean in the Bunker Industry VIEWPOINT: The Challenge of Staying Clean in the Bunker Industry by Can Besev, CEO, Suzun Marine Fuels Thursday June 25, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker Can Besev, CEO, Suzun Marine Fuels. Image Credit: Suzun Marine Fuels. Image Credit: Suzun Marine Fuels The European Union recently adopted the 20th sanctions package against Russian products, and the United Nations passed Resolution 2819 , which extends sanctions on Libyan products. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is constantly making new additions as Americans use sanctions as part of their arsenal of foreign policy tools. As an industry participant reporting from the ground, I can clearly say that, as far as the bunker industry is concerned, all these sanctions are largely ineffective because there is little enforcement, if any. It leads to unfair competition, where those who are willing can offer bunker prices that are 100 dollars or more cheaper than those who choose to follow the rules. In my experience, there is no shortage of buyers, from premium to little known, that either do not question how such low prices are possible, or simply don’t care enough just as long as the price is right. “ Obviously, nobody is even looking at a map and wondering how the logistics would work If I, with my credit and compliance hat on, before the war can see from satellite imagery that a UAE bunker supplier’s barge is alongside a National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) tanker, clearly carrying out a ship-to-ship transfer (STS) and returning to supply bunkers to an American-operated vessel via a European bunker tra