First Oil Tanker Passes Hormuz Strait Amid US Blockade

A crude oil tanker has just become the first to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. began its blockade against Iran. The Malta-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier, Agios Panourios I, crossed the strait early this morning. Its status changed from "at anchor" to "under way" just after midnight Iran time, and it entered the Persian Gulf around six o'clock. It’s scheduled to dock in Basra, Iraq tomorrow. Interestingly, the U.S. Central Command had claimed that in the first two days of the blockade, not a single vessel passed under U.S. control. They reported that nine ships returned to Iranian ports during that time. However, data from Kpler shows that more than 12 unrelated ships transited the strait just days ago. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the impact of geopolitical actions on global oil trade. It's a reminder that energy supply routes are critical for economies worldwide.