Chinese tanker on US sanctions list transits Strait of Hormuz amid blockade

A Chinese tanker on the US sanctions list transits the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, marking the first known passage during the current blockade. Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping, a Chinese firm included on the US sanctions list, owns the oil-chemical carrier. MarineTraffic data showed the vessel transited the strait early Tuesday after circling the area near the strategic waterway late Monday.

Departure and destination

The vessel departed from Sharjah in the UAE and is currently sailing toward its destination in China. Another tanker that departed from the Kharg Island oil export hub in Iran also appeared in the strait on Monday while broadcasting false Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to indicate it sailed from Saudi Arabia.

False data tactics

Many vessels have attempted to conceal their movements through the strait since the start of the conflict by broadcasting false AIS data or disabling their signals entirely. The tactic allows ships to evade detection while transiting the strategic waterway, which has been largely restricted since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb. 28.

US blockade

The transit comes after the US moved to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports following the collapse of talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the war. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels entering or departing Iranian ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.