UK press release on sanctioned vessels in UK waters

26 March 2026

The UK Prime Minister’s Office has announced in a press release that the UK armed forces and law enforcement officers will be able to intercept sanctioned vessels in UK waters.

The announcement follows reports in January 2026 that Ministers had identified a legal basis for boarding sanctioned vessels in UK waters under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. The press release says “each target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military and energy market specialists before a recommendation is made to ministers and an operation is executed. Following the detention of a ship, criminal proceedings may be brought against the owners, operators and crew, for breaches of UK sanctions legislation.”