A Suezmax tanker identified as carrying Iraqi crude is approaching India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. The tanker Karolos appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday sailing toward India, reporting a draft that indicated it is fully loaded. The vessel was previously seen near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates a week earlier, heading in the opposite direction.
Ship-tracking company Kpler has identified the tanker as carrying Iraqi crude loaded at Basra on May 10-11. An image from the European Union's Sentinel 2 satellite shows a ship of the same coloring and dimensions at one of the Basra loading buoys on the morning of May 11. The transit represents one of the few crude oil sailings through the waterway this week as the conflict enters its 12th week.
Observable daily commercial transits of the waterway in both directions dropped to five ships on Friday from 11 ships the previous day, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. There was a slight pick-up on Saturday morning, with six ships seen moving through the strait. Transits into and out of the Persian Gulf remain far below prewar levels.
Despite frequent pronouncements from US President Donald Trump that Iran would soon capitulate, there is no sign of the country easing its blockade of Hormuz. Tehran has made acceptance of Iran's sovereignty over the strait one of five preconditions for rejoining talks to end the war. US Central Command reported Friday that the military has now diverted 75 commercial ships since imposing its own blockade on Iran.
Separately, the oil tanker Agios Fanourios I, halted by the US on a voyage from Iraq to Vietnam, remains in the Gulf of Oman. The very large crude carrier Kiara M, which also crossed out of the Persian Gulf after loading at Basra, appears to have completed switching its cargo onto another ship off Oman. Widespread interference of signals on the industry's Automatic Identification System has clouded the picture, making independent verification of ship traffic increasingly difficult.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Suezmax tanker Karolos carrying Iraqi crude crossed the Strait of Hormuz fully loaded and is heading toward India.
2. Daily commercial transits through the strait dropped to 5 ships on Friday from 11 ships the previous day.
3. The US has diverted 75 commercial ships since imposing its maritime blockade on Iran.
4. Iran has made recognition of its sovereignty over the strait a precondition for rejoining talks to end the war.
5. Widespread interference with ship tracking signals is making independent verification of traffic increasingly difficult.
