Baku: Five Azerbaijani vessels have been removed from the European Union sanctions list, as per a decision by the Council of the European Union on April 23, 2026. The vessels include 'Zagatala,' owned by the 'Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company' CJSC (ASCO), and 'Shusha,' 'Karabakh,' 'Khankendi,' and 'Zangezur,' owned by a joint venture of ASCO and SOCAR, ASCO told APA-Economics.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the decision to lift sanctions on these vessels was achieved through coordinated diplomatic and legal efforts by several Azerbaijani entities, including the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, ASCO, and SOCAR.

The vessels in question had been leased to third parties on a long-term basis under charter agreements and were operated in compliance with international regulations and sanctions requirements. The decision to remove them from the sanctions list is seen as an outcome based on international law norms and constructive dialogue.

ASCO, a state-owned company operating globally in the shipping sector, plans to continue its operations while adhering to national legislation, international legal norms, and sanctions regimes.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency