Shipowner Jugwinder Singh Brar Breaks Silence on US Sanctions
July 22, 2025 — Dubai
Jugwinder Singh Brar, the embattled shipowner who was sanctioned by the United States earlier this year, has finally spoken out, defending his reputation and offering his side of the story. In a rare and candid interview this week, Brar firmly denied allegations that he or his companies abandoned ships and crew, while insisting that he has been unfairly targeted and is doing everything in his power to maintain operational integrity.
In April, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blacklisted Brar and his two Dubai-based companies, citing alleged connections to sanctioned networks. The move threw his fleet, comprising several tankers, into disarray. Since then, industry observers have raised alarms about vessels left drifting without direction, unpaid crew members, and a growing humanitarian and legal concern over who bears responsibility for these ships.
But Brar says much of the narrative has been exaggerated, if not outright misleading.
“I want to be clear, neither my companies nor I have ever abandoned any crew,” Brar said in the interview. “This is not how we operate. These men and women are professionals, and I respect their work. What we’re dealing with now is a result of an abrupt and, frankly, unwarranted sanctioning process that has paralysed our operations.”
According to Brar, his fleet became effectively frozen overnight. Banks halted transactions. Insurance contracts were pulled. Port authorities hesitated to allow docking or refuelling of his ships. Crew changes became impossible. “This isn’t abandonment,” he argued. “This is obstruction.”
Brar claims that his tankers have been struggling to find charterers due to the chilling effect of the sanctions. With financial access cut off and clients wary of doing business, he says his hands are tied. “We are being treated as guilty without due process. We’re still trying to feed and pay the crews and keep ships compliant. But without financial access or clarity, how do we do that?”
Maritime trackers and watchdogs have noted that some of Brar’s ships appear to be drifting or anchored for extended periods. At least one vessel has reportedly been stuck off the UAE coast with crew onboard for weeks, sparking concern from welfare organisations.
Asked about these reports, Brar acknowledged the delays but maintained that his teams have remained in contact with the crews and are actively trying to resolve logistical issues. “It’s not like we walked away. The ships are maintained, and the people onboard are not forgotten,” he said.
Brar also pushed back on allegations that his fleet was involved in deceptive shipping practices such as AIS manipulation or oil transfers involving sanctioned parties, which often trigger OFAC enforcement.
“We’ve followed international shipping protocols. If there’s evidence, let’s see it. But sanctioning without full transparency isn’t justice, it’s power unchecked,” he said.
His statement adds fuel to a growing debate in maritime and diplomatic circles about the unintended fallout of broad U.S. sanctions. Critics argue that such actions can disrupt global shipping flows and put innocent seafarers at risk.
As for what lies ahead, Brar says he’s working with legal counsel to challenge the sanctions and hopes for a resolution. “I’m not hiding. I’m not running. I’m here to fix this and clear my name.”
In the meantime, the fate of his ships and the people onboard remains uncertain. Maritime unions and advocacy groups have urged governments and port authorities to prioritise the welfare of the affected crew members while international legal processes unfold.
“We need a path forward,” Brar concluded. “Not just for me, but for everyone caught in the crossfire of this geopolitical storm.”
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