The Delruba: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a notable maritime event, the US-sanctioned cargo ship 'Delruba' docked at berth 301 of Terminal Portuário de Santa Catarina in São Francisco do Sul on October 4, 2025. This Iranian ship, which set sail from Asaluyeh, arrived to unload a substantial 60,000-ton shipment of urea destined for Brazil's fertilizer sector. Notably, the 'Delruba' is affiliated with Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and has been under sanctions imposed by the US Treasury since June 2020, limiting American and allied entities from extending insurance, financing, or any services to the vessel. The unloading operation was concluded by October 8, with the cargo boasting an estimated value of $24.4 million. According to customs records, the fertilizer was sourced from Pardis Petrochemical Company, an Iranian manufacturer that has drawn scrutiny from US authorities for allegedly providing financial support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. While the US Office of Foreign Assets Control has classified the 'Delruba' as a designated vessel, Pardis Petrochemical has not been subject to individual sanctions despite its operations in the heavily regulated petrochemical sphere of Iran, which poses significant risks for foreign traders. This incident highlights the growing dissonance between US sanction enforcement and Brazil's ongoing trade activities with Iran, illustrating the complexities of international maritime commerce.