US-sanctioned Tankers Pass Strait of Hormuz Despite US Blockade
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Washington DC: A US-sanctioned Chinese tanker successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, marking the first such vessel to exit the Gulf since the implementation of a strategic maritime blockade. Shipping data from LSEG and Kpler confirmed that the Rich Starry, carrying approximately 250,000 barrels of methanol, completed the transit despite active enforcement at the chokepoint.
The vessel and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were previously blacklisted by Washington for transactions involving Iran. Following the Rich Starry, a second sanctioned tanker, the Murlikishan, was also tracked entering the strait. The empty handysize vessel is reportedly scheduled to load fuel oil in Iraq on April 16.
These movements highlight significant challenges to the blockade's effectiveness. While the US continues to restrict transit through the vital energy corridor, sanctioned entities are successfully navigating the route to maintain global shipping operations.
Photo Credits: AFP
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