# OFAC SDN vessel records (screened subset), snapshot 2026-09-16: flag and public GLEIF ownership-resolution stage

> Public-record dataset of 1,527 screened IMO-bearing vessel records that appeared on the OFAC SDN list as of 2026-09-16 (of 1,527 IMO-bearing OFAC vessel records in that snapshot), each with flag, flag-transparency tier, sanctions program, and public GLEIF ownership-resolution stage. GLEIF screening as of 2026-09-16.

**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as shown under "How to cite" below (the Zenodo DOI is the permanent identifier).
**Canonical page:** https://arcnautical.com/data/ofac-sdn-vessel-ownership-resolution/

## Abstract

This dataset is a **public-source compilation**. It lists a **screened subset** of IMO-bearing vessels that appeared on the U.S. Treasury **OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)** list as of 2026-09-16, and reports, per vessel: its flag state and flag-transparency tier, its OFAC sanctions program(s), and how far its ownership could be resolved in the public **GLEIF Global LEI Index** (screened as of 2026-09-16).

Inclusion of a vessel reflects its presence on the OFAC SDN snapshot of 2026-09-16 — a public fact. This dataset **does not** name owners, assert beneficial ownership or control, or include any proprietary risk scoring. It is a public-source data compilation with normalized and derived categorical fields.

## Universe

Entries of type `vessel` on the OFAC SDN list that carry a 7-digit IMO number, de-duplicated by IMO, and present in the ArcNautical screening snapshot. 1,527 of 1,527 OFAC SDN-designated vessels-with-IMO were screened and are included. Rows are restricted to screened vessels so every row carries a real ownership-resolution stage.

## Files

- `data.csv` — the dataset (1,527 rows, one per vessel).
- `datapackage.json` — Frictionless Data Package descriptor (Table Schema for `data.csv`).
- `README.md` — this file.

## Data dictionary

| Column | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `imo` | string | IMO ship identification number (7 digits), the stable hull identifier. |
| `vessel_name` | string | Vessel name as listed on the OFAC SDN list. |
| `vessel_type` | string | Vessel type per the OFAC SDN remarks (may be empty). |
| `flag` | string | Flag state per the OFAC SDN remarks (may be empty if OFAC did not record one). |
| `flag_transparency_tier` | string | Flag-state UBO-transparency tier. Vessels flying a sanctioned state’s own flag (e.g. Russia, Iran, DPRK) classify as unclassified — the tier addresses open-registry / flag-of-convenience use, not the sanctioned state itself. Values: `transparent`, `restricted`, `flag_of_convenience`, `unclassified`. |
| `ofac_programs` | string | OFAC sanctions program code(s) for the designation, semicolon-separated, as recorded in the OFAC SDN snapshot for this release (see provenance.data_as_of). |
| `sanctions_regime` | string | Convenience grouping of the OFAC program(s) into a regime (Iran, Russia, North Korea (DPRK), etc.), from the OFAC SDN snapshot for this release. |
| `mmsi` | string | Maritime Mobile Service Identity per the OFAC SDN remarks (may be empty). |
| `call_sign` | string | Radio call sign per the OFAC SDN remarks (may be empty). |
| `ownership_resolution_stage` | string | How far the vessel’s ownership resolves in the public GLEIF Global LEI Index. NOT beneficial ownership; a vessel with no GLEIF match may still have a registered owner in other records. Values: `no_gleif_owner`, `registered_owner_no_parent`, `direct_parent_resolved`, `ultimate_parent_resolved`. |

## Methodology

- Flag, vessel type, MMSI, and call sign are taken directly from the OFAC SDN record. The OFAC list version is its HTTP `Last-Modified` date (2026-09-16).
- `flag_transparency_tier` classifies the flag state by UBO-register transparency (transparent / restricted / flag_of_convenience / unclassified).
- `sanctions_regime` groups the OFAC program code(s) into a regime; `ofac_programs` preserves the raw codes.
- `ownership_resolution_stage` is the deepest public-record resolution reached in the GLEIF Global LEI Index, using the same GLEIF modules as the ArcNautical vessel dossier.

## Limitations

- **GLEIF ≠ beneficial ownership.** GLEIF resolves the corporate/consolidating parent, not the AML ultimate beneficial owner (a natural person). `no_gleif_owner` means *not traceable in the public LEI register*, not that the vessel has no owner — a registered owner may exist in a flag registry or commercial database without a GLEIF LEI.
- **Snapshot, not live.** Two dates apply: the OFAC list version (2026-09-16) and the GLEIF screening date (2026-09-16). Sanctions status and ownership change over time; vessels can be delisted.
- **No owner identities and no proprietary scoring** are included in this version.
- **Coverage** is bounded to OFAC SDN vessels with an IMO that were screened.

## How to cite

```
ArcNautical (2026). OFAC SDN vessel records (screened subset), snapshot 2026-09-16: flag and public GLEIF ownership-resolution stage [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22808695
```

## Sources

- [OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List](https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/)
- [GLEIF Global LEI Index](https://www.gleif.org/en/lei-data/gleif-concatenated-file)

## Corrections

Spotted an error? Email corrections to admin@arcnautical.com with the IMO and the issue; fixes ship in the next versioned release.

## Changelog

- v1 (2026-09-16): initial release — stage-only (flag, tier, program, GLEIF resolution stage). Owner identities are not included in v1.