Despite the US claims of a naval blockade, Iran is still moving millions of barrels of crude, according to available data. This comes amid CENTCOM’s statement that the US forces have intercepted and compelled 38 vessels to return to Iranian ports since the initiation of a maritime blockade on Iran.
Iran loaded at least 4.6 million barrels of crude at export terminals in recent days, with another four million barrels appearing to have crossed the US blockade line, according to the data collected by TankerTrackers.com.
Other marine trackers too think the blockade isn’t very effective. Shipping intelligence firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence too found that at least 26 vessels linked to Iran, including 11 oil and gas tankers and two very large crude carriers, have sailed in and out of Iranian ports since the blockade began. However, a report by cargo tracking firm Vortexa pegs the number even higher. It claims that at least 34 Iran-linked tankers bypassed the blockade line in the Strait of Hormuz, including six outbound tankers carrying around 10.7 million barrels of crude.
Besides, Vortexa has also identified multiple fully laden tankers slipping past US warships. Over roughly nine million barrels were moved by Iran around the blockade in recent days, according to Bloomberg.
There are also reports that traffic is picking up again in the Strait of Hormuz, despite duelling blockades by U.S. and Iranian forces. As per the maritime security consultancy Windward, 19 vessels made the transit through the waterway on April 25, most outbound and all of them broadcasting AIS. The noteworthy transits included the sanctioned tankers Oceanjet and Lumina Ocean, both linked to Iran's petroleum industry.
However, as per the US Central Command (CENTCOM), its forces, enforcing the naval blockade, intercepted another Iranian vessel in the Arabian Sea on Saturday and forced it to turn back to Iran. “M/V Sevan was among 19 “shadow fleet” vessels sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars-worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets.
“Earlier today, Sevan was intercepted in the Arabian Sea by a US Navy helicopter from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and the merchant vessel is currently complying with US military direction to turn back to Iran under escort,” according to a CENTCOM statement.
Due to the sanctions, Iran operate a shadow fleet which transports oil using tactics like switching off AIS transponders, spoofing vessel locations, conducting ship-to-ship transfers, relabeling cargoes and using front companies to disguise ownership and destinations.