An Iranian crude oil tanker has reportedly arrived in the Asia–Pacific region after evading United States naval enforcement measures, according to maritime tracking information published by TankerTrackers.com.
The vessel, identified as “Huge”, is owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). It is reported to be carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, with an estimated market value of around 220 million US dollars.
Voyage and tracking information
TankerTrackers.com, a maritime intelligence platform monitoring global oil shipments, reported via social media platform X that the tanker was last visually detected more than a week ago near the coast of Sri Lanka. Since then, its movements are believed to have continued through the Indonesian Lombok Strait, with a subsequent heading towards the Riau Islands region.
According to the tracking data, the vessel departed the Strait of Malacca on 20 March, reportedly bound for Iran. Shortly after this departure, the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was switched off. AIS is a mandatory maritime tracking system used to broadcast a vessel’s identity, position, speed, and navigational course. When disabled, it significantly reduces the ability of authorities and commercial tracking services to monitor a ship’s real-time location.
The vessel was also reported to have been in Iranian territorial waters at the time when the United States Navy announced a blockade of Iranian ports on 13 April.
Contrasting claims over blockade impact
Iranian state media reported on 29 April that at least 52 vessels linked to Iran had successfully bypassed the US blockade measures. In contrast, United States military sources have stated that since the beginning of the enforcement operation, at least 41 Iran-associated vessels have been compelled to alter their routes.
US officials have maintained that the blockade has had a significant operational impact, arguing that it has disrupted Iranian maritime oil exports and resulted in losses amounting to several billion US dollars for the country.
Washington has further stated that sustained restrictions on Iranian port access could eventually force a halt in oil production if storage facilities reach full capacity, limiting Iran’s ability to store additional crude oil.
Summary of key vessel data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel name | Huge |
| Ownership | National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) |
| Cargo type | Crude oil |
| Estimated volume | 1.9 million barrels |
| Estimated value | 220 million US dollars |
| Last confirmed sighting | Off Sri Lanka |
| Current route | Lombok Strait towards Riau Islands |
| AIS status | Disabled since 20 March |
| Departure route | Strait of Malacca towards Iran |
| US blockade announcement | 13 April |
| Iranian reported figure | 52 vessels bypassed blockade |
| US military reported figure | 41 vessels redirected |
The reports reflect ongoing discrepancies between Iranian and United States accounts regarding maritime enforcement effectiveness and the extent of disruption to Iranian oil shipping activity.
Source: Al Jazeera