Kamal Ghorui
US blockade faces early test as Chinese-linked tanker exits unchallenged
A US-sanctioned Chinese-linked tanker has exited the Strait of Hormuz apparently unchallenged, testing President Donald Trump’s naval blockade just a day after it went into effect.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, according to Lloyd’s List. The vessel had initially appeared to abort its passage on Monday, turning back westward after heading toward the Larak-Qeshm route.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.
Vessel under US sanctions
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, a company that has been on the US sanctions list since March 2023.
Cargo and movement details
According to Vortexa data, the tanker is laden. 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.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.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.
