A Chinese-owned tanker under U.S. sanctions has passed the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports that began on Monday.
Citing data from Kpler and MarineTraffic, Reuters reported that the vessel had traversed the chokepoint earlier today. Owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd., the vessel, Rich Starry, became a target for U.S. sanctions because it was used to transport Iranian crude.
The Rich Starry is loaded with 250,000 barrels of methanol that it loaded at the Emirati port of Hamriyah, according to the data. It could be that fact that has ensured the unobstructed passage of the vessel, despite the sanctions. The U.S. Central Command said the blockade would only cover Iranian ports and traffic to and from them.
Are we even sure if the blockade is actually in place? Like, it’s one thing to say it and another to actually do it and enforce it.
The ship tracking website I use shows 31 ships in the last 24 hours with 15 currently going through it. Which is definitely higher than the day before. I think it was 2.
Like, unless something is actually verified I’m expecting Trump to go live and say “ships are transitioning freely under our control” without anything actually being in US control.
He likes taking credit for undoing the fuck up he created.