Greek-owned tanker carrying Iraqi oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz with closed transponders

According to the data, two VLCC supertankers, the “Agios Fanourios I” of Thanasis Martinou’s Eastern Mediterranean Maritime and the “Kiara M”, each carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude, exited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

The “Agios Fanourios I”, flagged in Malta and bound for Vietnam, reportedly failed to pass through the sea route at least twice after loading Basrah Medium crude on April 17. The final destination of the “Kiara M” is not clear, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, a third supertanker, the Basrah Energy, which had loaded two million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co’s Zirku terminal on May 1, exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to Kpler data.

The tankers’ move to disable their automatic identification systems (AIS) comes at a time of heightened tension in the Persian Gulf region, with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz under close scrutiny over fears of attacks or interference from Iran.