Update on the Movements of Iran’s Oil Tankers

After turning its AIS off in the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, on August 14, NITC Crude Oil Tanker SANAN has appeared in the Strait of Malacca with a draft at 15.8 and signaling its location as “FAR EAST FOR ORDER.” It is unusual to see this vessel in the Strait of Malacca, as historically this vessel has delivered crude oil to Syria. It is possible that SANAN will make a delivery via a “Ship-to-Ship” (“STS”) transfer, where cargo is transferred between seagoing ships positioned alongside each other, in the Strait of Malacca or will continue on to China.