Two ships from Iran ports pass Hormuz despite US blockade

At least two vessels linked to Iranian ports transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday despite a US military blockade, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler, reported by AFP on Tuesday.

The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna passed through the strait after unloading corn at Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini port. It sailed past Larak Island at around 1600 GMT, roughly two hours after Washington’s blockade came into effect, Kpler data showed.

A second vessel, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was tracked near Larak Island at about 1100 GMT and cleared the strait later in the day around 1600 GMT, according to the same data. It was carrying around 31,000 tonnes of methanol, having departed from Iran’s Bushehr port on March 31.

US Central Command had earlier said the blockade would target “vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”. Despite that, shipping activity appeared to continue.

A Chinese tanker, Rich Starry, also crossed the strait overnight via an Iranian-approved route south of Larak Island. The vessel, carrying about 31,500 tonnes of methanol and headed for Sohar in Oman, is listed under sanctions by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control due to its links with Iran.

Shipping journal Lloyd’s List described the Chinese tanker’s transit as a possible “test” of US President Donald Trump’s blockade.

Another sanctioned vessel, the Madagascar-flagged tanker Murlikishan, crossed westward into the Gulf on Tuesday morning along the same route. It was travelling empty towards Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, though Kpler data showed many of its previous voyages involved transporting Iranian bitumen and asphalt to Asia.

Maritime analysts have cautioned that vessel tracking in the region has become increasingly difficult, with ship signals often disrupted or manipulated amid the ongoing conflict. Iran had earlier effectively shut the strait following the outbreak of hostilities with US and Israeli strikes on February 28, before Washington announced its own blockade after talks with Tehran collapsed.

China has criticised the move, with foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun calling the US blockade “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Source : Moneycontrol