As the United States warned of a “counter-blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz, some oil tankers have begun turning around again.
According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group, LSEG, and shipping data firm Kpler, verified by Reuters on the 13th, a Malta-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) *Agios Fanourios I* attempted to enter the Strait of Hormuz the previous morning but turned around and is currently anchored near the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was reportedly planning to load Iraqi Basra crude oil for delivery to Vietnam.
The Liberia-flagged tanker *Mumbasa B* passed through the strait the previous day but has since been moving empty within the Gulf without loading any crude oil.
In contrast, the Pakistan-flagged tankers *Shalamar* and *Kairpur* were confirmed to be heading toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, respectively, as of the 13th. Bloomberg reported that although they initially intended to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz, they changed course again and entered the passage through Hormuz. According to Reuters, the *Shalamar* is en route to load Das Island crude oil from the UAE, while the *Kairpur* is scheduled to load refined oil in Kuwait. Even as some vessels turned back following the breakdown of negotiations, others continued their voyages toward destinations inside the Gulf.
After the U.S. announced its counter-blockade, ships attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz were also detected. According to Bloomberg, the Marshall Islands-flagged *New Future* and the Panama-flagged *Aurora* began moving northeast off the coast of the UAE early that day. Bloomberg analysis suggests these vessels are navigating along the southern route of Larak Island, which Iran has designated as the passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The *New Future* has already passed the strait’s curved section and is now heading south toward the Gulf of Oman, while the *Aurora* remains near Larak Island, moving at an average speed.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that after the breakdown of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. would begin blockade procedures against ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military plans to commence blockade measures against all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the 13th (11 p.m. Korea Time on the 13th).
Source: The Chosunilbo
