Iranian Ghost Fleet Evades US Naval Blockade

U.S. investigators have highlighted a concerning operation involving small Iranian tankers circumventing a U.S. naval blockade to deliver sanctioned liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to China. According to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), at least nine tankers have successfully bypassed the blockade since it was reinstated in July.

The SOGL, one of the identified tankers, reportedly transported approximately 500,000 barrels of Iranian LPG from Assaluyeh Port, Iran, to an offshore area near Malaysia, where it was filmed receiving supplies before continuing to China to unload its cargo.

The Malaysian Eastern Outer Port Limits Anchorage (EOPL) is crucial for this illicit trade. Located around 70 kilometers from Malaysia’s coast, the anchorage allows tankers to wait offshore, acquire necessary services, and transfer cargo, facilitating the movement of Iranian energy exports.

Despite the U.S. blockade effectively preventing larger vessels from exporting Iranian crude oil, smaller tankers still manage to breach it. The blockade’s primary focus has been on stopping significant crude oil exports, impacting Iran’s economy significantly.

Jemima Shelley from UANI explains that these smaller vessels often operate like ghost ships, turning off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) and flying false flags. These tactics make tracking difficult as they move through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

LPG, unlike crude oil, presents unique challenges due to its volatility. The U.S. Navy uses strategies to turn these vessels around, but military action may sometimes be necessary, posing high risks.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the SOGL in October, citing allegations of transporting Iranian petroleum products. The vessel, linked to Gravion Maritime Co., has operated under various flags, emphasizing the complexity of tracking such shipments.

While Malaysia’s anchorage has become a vital point in this operation, providing logistics to ghost fleet tankers, China remains a major destination for Iranian oil and LPG. The economic partnership relies on discounted Iranian exports bypassing international sanctions.

Emma Bussey, writing for Fox News Digital, underscores this ongoing issue as the U.S. continues efforts to curb Iran’s energy exports, considering the broader implications for international trade and regional security.