A tanker listed under United States sanctions, the oil and chemical carrier Rich Starry, has been forced back towards the Strait of Hormuz after failing to breach a tightened US naval blockade on Iranian ports, according to shipping data analysis.
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Chronology of movements and blockade response
Maritime tracking information indicates that the vessel attempted to exit the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, 14 April, but by Wednesday it had reversed course and returned to the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The reversal took place amid heightened maritime restrictions following the announcement of a US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.
The blockade was declared by US President Donald Trump after talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without agreement on the previous Sunday. Since the announcement, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced increased uncertainty.
According to a statement attributed to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on social media platform X, no vessel succeeded in crossing the US enforcement perimeter within the first 24 hours of the blockade’s implementation. The statement further indicated that at least six vessels complied with US instructions and returned to Iranian ports.
Interceptions and attempted crossings
Maritime monitoring data also reports that two oil tankers departing from Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman were intercepted by a US destroyer on Tuesday. In the same period, the Rich Starry was among eight vessels that attempted to navigate through the contested waterway but were ultimately unsuccessful.
The vessel is a medium-range tanker owned by Shanghai Suanrun Shipping Company. It had been loaded with approximately 250,000 barrels of methanol at Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates. Both the vessel and its operating company are subject to US sanctions due to commercial dealings with Iran.
Additional tanker movements
Separately, data from LSEG indicates that another large oil tanker, Alicia, entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The vessel, with a capacity of approximately two million barrels of crude oil, is reported to have sailed empty and is scheduled to load cargo from Iraq after departing on Thursday.
Impact on maritime traffic
Shipping industry sources report that the current naval enforcement measures have created significant disruption for shipowners, oil companies, and war-risk insurers. Prior to the escalation of regional hostilities on 28 February, when conflict between Iran and Israel began, more than 130 vessels were recorded transiting the Strait of Hormuz daily.
That figure has since fallen to less than half, reflecting the reduced flow of maritime traffic through one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.
Summary of key vessels and events
| Vessel name | Type | Cargo | Origin / status | Reported movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Starry | Medium-range tanker | ~250,000 barrels methanol | Hamriyah Port, UAE | Attempted exit on 14 April; returned on 15 April |
| Alicia | Large oil tanker | Crude oil capacity ~2 million barrels | Entered via Strait of Hormuz | Entered Persian Gulf; scheduled Iraq loading |
| Two tankers (unnamed) | Oil tankers | Not specified | Chabahar Port, Iran | Blocked by US destroyer |
| Multiple vessels (8 total) | Various | Various | Persian Gulf transit attempt | Intercepted or turned back |
This evolving situation continues to affect maritime routing patterns and has significantly reduced traffic volumes through the Strait of Hormuz, with ongoing implications for global energy transportation flows.