US-Sanctioned Tanker Exits Hormuz Strait Unchallenged, Testing Trump's Naval Blockade
A US-sanctioned tanker with Chinese links has exited the Strait of Hormuz apparently unchallenged, testing President Donald Trump's naval blockade just one day after it went into effect. This development raises significant questions about the enforcement and effectiveness of the blockade in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.
Vessel Movement and Details
According to Lloyd's List, the Rich Starry, a 36,000 dwt combined chemical and oil tanker, resumed its outbound voyage overnight and sailed out of the strait in the early hours of Tuesday. The vessel had initially appeared to abort its passage on Monday, turning back westward after heading toward the Larak-Qeshm route before ultimately proceeding.
The tanker is believed to be fraudulently flagged to Malawi, with its Automatic Identification System signal indicating "China owners and crew" in the ship's destination field, suggesting Chinese involvement despite the Malawian registration.
Sanctions and Ownership Background
The Rich Starry, formerly known as Full Star, is designated by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under Iran-related authorities and listed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list for its involvement in shipping Iranian products.
According to the International Maritime Organization's database, the vessel is owned by Full Star Shipping Ltd., which shares contact details with Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Company Limited. Shanghai Xuanrun has been on the US sanctions list since March 2023, further connecting the tanker to sanctioned entities.
Cargo and Movement Patterns
Based on Vortexa data, the tanker is currently laden with cargo. It had previously been anchored off the UAE coast in the Gulf of Oman, re-entered the Middle East Gulf ten days ago, and then waited off Sharjah before attempting the strait crossing.
It remains unclear whether the Rich Starry is carrying Iran-loaded oil specifically, though its sanction designation suggests involvement with Iranian products. The vessel's exit came after US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed its forces would begin blockading all Iranian traffic from 1500 hrs on April 13.
Additional Sanctioned Vessel Activity
Separately, Reuters reported that another US-sanctioned tanker, Murlikishan, headed into the strait on Tuesday. The empty handysize tanker is expected to load fuel oil at Iraq on April 16, according to Kpler data.
The vessel, formerly known as MKA, has previously transported Russian and Iranian oil, indicating a pattern of sanctioned vessels operating in the region despite US restrictions.
This incident highlights the challenges of enforcing maritime sanctions in strategically vital waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil passes. The unchallenged passage of a sanctioned vessel so soon after the blockade announcement raises questions about implementation and potential geopolitical implications.
