How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade?
At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa.
At least 34 Iran-linked tankers have managed to bypass the US blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz since it was imposed on April 13, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa.
George Morris, an analyst at Vortexa, told Al-Monitor, “From April 13-20, we have identified 34 movements, including 19 outbound and 15 inbound. Of the outbound movements, six are confirmed laden with Iranian crude, representing approximately 10.7 million barrels. Broadly, these vessels are likely headed to buyers in China and India.”
Details: At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have navigated past the US blockade to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, heading toward Iran from the Arabian Sea, according to the Vortexa data.
One vessel, the Iranian-flagged supertanker Dorena, left Iranian waters on April 17. It later turned its transponder off, according to Vortexa. As of Wednesday, the Dorena was off the coast of southwestern India, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler data. Two more crude oil tankers sailed past the blockade on April 20, Vortexa noted.
