Iran’s principal crude-export terminals have been without tankers for weeks as a renewed US naval blockade restricts the country’s oil trade, according to a Bloomberg report published by gCaptain. An analysis of vessel movements and European Union satellite imagery found no tanker dockings at Kharg Island’s crude terminals since late August, the longest interruption there since the US-Iran war began in February.
Crude exports fell from almost 1 million barrels a day in July to zero from late August, according to Bloomberg’s vessel-tracking data and figures from Kpler and Vortexa. July loadings were largely confined to the month’s first half, when a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran briefly removed the blockade. United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit group, said no tanker carrying Iranian crude had left the country or nearby waters since the restrictions returned in mid-July.
The disruption has implications for both oil supply and freight. Tanker-tracking figures cited in the report put Iranian crude exports at nearly 650 million barrels in the year through April, mostly destined for China. Chinese refiners are now seeking replacement supplies, competing with other buyers for crude and vessels. The report linked that competition to higher oil prices and a historic freight-market rally.
Security risks around the Strait of Hormuz have also intensified. According to the report, Iran has increased attacks on shipping as its exports have been constrained. Alerts from UK Maritime Trade Operations recorded 25 ships targeted in and around the passage during October’s first two weeks, against 18 incidents throughout September and 15 in August.
Kharg normally handles almost all Iranian crude exports, while Jask, at Hormuz’s eastern end, accounts for a small share. Satellite imagery showed no tankers berthed at Jask either. Bloomberg reviewed images from the EU’s Sentinel 1 and 2 satellites, with gaps of no more than three days between observations; loading a very large crude carrier at Kharg typically takes 24 to 48 hours.
Other vessel sightings did not establish a resumption of crude loadings. A small ship berthed on 10 October was identified through its position signals as the chemicals/products tanker Clavel, which has been moving between Iranian ports. At least two tankers seen at Kharg’s southeastern jetties between 12 and 15 September were at facilities used only for liquefied petroleum gas and sulphur shipments.