At least three vessels, including two United States-sanctioned tankers, transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday amid a newly imposed US blockade on ships calling at Iranian ports. According to shipping data from LSEG and Kpler, the tankers were not heading to Iran, thus avoiding the impact of the blockade.
Key Takeaways
At least three US-sanctioned tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday despite a newly imposed US blockade on ships calling at Iranian ports. The tankers were not heading to Iran, so they were unaffected by the blockade. One Chinese-owned tanker, Rich Starry, carried methanol and exited the Gulf. China criticized the US blockade as dangerous and irresponsible.
- Three sanctioned tankers transited Strait of Hormuz on first day of US blockade
- Tankers not heading to Iran unaffected by blockade
- Rich Starry is a Chinese-owned medium-range tanker carrying 250,000 barrels of methanol
- China condemns US blockade as dangerous and irresponsible
- Prospects for diplomatic breakthrough remain despite the blockade
The Panama-flagged Peace Gulf is en route to Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates, typically transporting Iranian naphtha for export to Asia. Another sanctioned tanker, Rich Starry, exited the Gulf carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol loaded at Hamriyah. This Chinese-owned medium-range tanker has a Chinese crew on board and is the first vessel to make it through the strait since the blockade began.
The US announced the blockade after peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad failed to reach an agreement. China's foreign ministry criticized the move, calling it 'dangerous and irresponsible,' warning that it would only exacerbate tensions. Despite the blockade, prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough remain, with both sides indicating openness to further negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, and Iran had previously brought traffic through the strait to a near-total halt in response to US-Israeli attacks on its territory. The Iranian de facto control over the chokepoint sent gas and petrol prices skyrocketing worldwide.
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