The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac) has removed sanctions imposed against Lebanese shipowner Merhi Abou Merhi and his shipping group, Abou Merhi Lines (AML), which operates in the car carrier trades, and the cruise market as Abou Merhi Cruises (AMC).

AML and its owner were sanctioned in late 2015 when they were deemed by Ofac to be specially designated narcotics traffickers in accordance with the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.