The SOGL tanker (IMO 9208227), loaded with Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), departed from the port of Assaluyeh in late August and successfully passed through the US naval blockade on September 1. This information was announced by the group "Countering Iran's Nuclear Program."
Details of the Passage Through the Blockade
The mentioned group stated that after loading LPG at the port of Assaluyeh, the tanker headed towards the EOPL anchorage on the shores of Malaysia. On September 16, under the supervision of this group, the tanker received fuel and services, then moved towards the South China Sea and unloaded its cargo at the port of Shenzhou in China.
New Sanctions and Their Impact on Iran's Oil Industry
On October 8, the US Treasury Department sanctioned this tanker as one of 17 vessels from the shadow fleet, stating that this tanker, operating under the Comoros flag and owned by the "Gravion Maritime" company based in the Marshall Islands, has transported over two million barrels of Iranian propane and butane since September 2025. Treasury Secretary Scott Busent announced that this action aims to prevent the financing of Tehran's regime for military activities in the region.
According to reports, since the renewal of the blockade in July, only about 9 small tankers carrying Iranian LPG have managed to pass through the blockade line, and regarding crude oil, this group has stated that no tanker carrying Iranian crude oil has been able to exit the Gulf of Oman since July 12.
Current Status of Iran's Oil Exports
The mentioned group has also reported that throughout September, no crude oil loadings have been observed at Iran's oil export hubs, and loadings have been limited to non-oil cargoes. In this regard, the amount of Iranian oil in floating storage has decreased to zero to seven million barrels. Reports indicate that China accounts for nearly 100 percent of Iran's oil and LPG exports, an increase from about 80 percent in previous years.
Currently, about 20 tankers from the "ghost" fleet are still waiting at the EOPL anchorage, and another 22 tankers are located north of this area. This situation has been severely impacted by new sanctions and tighter monitoring by Malaysian authorities.
