The Office of Foreign Assets Control has released new civil penalty information regarding Commerzbank AG. According to OFAC, Commerzbank AG, New York Branch, NY, NY, has agreed to remit $175,500 to settle apparent 2005 violations of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in connection with certain trade documents associated with a letter of credit, in which a Cuban Specially Designated National (SDN) had an interest.

The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will hold a partially open meeting on December 14 and 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. ETRAC advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on emerging technology and research activities, including those related to deemed exports. The agenda for the open session includes a member discussion of emerging technology analysis and the impact of export controls on the conduct of U.S. science and technology activities in the U.S. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis.

The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) will hold a partially open meeting on December 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. MPETAC advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration with respect to technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to materials processing equipment and related technology. The agenda for the open session includes a discussion of proposals from last and for next Wassenaar meeting, a report on proposed and recently issued changes to the Export Administration Regulations, etc. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted an updated schedule for its export control and compliance training outreach efforts. BIS states its training seminars provide the opportunity to learn first hand from experienced U.S. Government officials about export control policies, regulations and procedures.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has posted the presentations, remarks, etc. from the Defense Trade Advisory Group’s November 9, 2011 meeting. Three presentations were posted from private sector DTAG working groups on (i) the USML to CCL review, (ii) definition of public domain, and (iii) a draft single export license form. The written remarks from State Department Assistant Secretary Shapiro were also posted.

On October 31, 2011, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announced the following entity name and/or address change(s) for new DDTC license applications (see each notice for specific instructions for currently approved, pending, and new DSP authorizations and agreements, etc.):

On November 22, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added one Saudi individual and removed two Lebanese individuals from its "Specially Designated Nationals" List. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

On October 24, 2011, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announced the following entity name and/or address change(s) for new DDTC license applications (see each notice for specific instructions for currently approved, pending, and new DSP authorizations and agreements, etc.):

Export.gov has announced that registration is available for a number of upcoming export-based webinars.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control announces the designation of six shipping companies affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which prohibits transactions with and freezes the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters. OFAC has designated Panama/Iran-based companies Galliot Maritime Inc., Indus Maritime Inc., Kaveri Maritime Inc., Melodious Maritime, Inc., Mount Everest Maritime, Inc., and Rishi Maritime, Inc. In a second notice, OFAC is adding one vessel, Iran Shahr-E-Kord, and updating the information for 14 other vessels. In a third notice, OFAC is updating the information for Soroush Sarzamin Asatir Ship Management Company. The actions in all three notices are effective October 27, 2011.