Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – In a move reflecting Iraq’s efforts to continue oil exports despite security tensions in the region, tracking data showed on Wednesday that a Chinese supertanker carrying approximately two million barrels of Iraqi crude is attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The supertanker Yuan Hua Hu navigated past Iran’s Larak Island, heading south through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had been stranded in the Arabian Gulf since early March, according to LSEG and Kpler ship-tracking data cited by Reuters.
The oil tanker loaded its cargo at Iraq’s southern port of Basra and is currently on its way to Asian markets.
A subsidiary of the Chinese corporation COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation owns and operates the vessel, while Unipec, Sinopec’s trading arm, licensed the shipment.
According to tracking data, the step marks the third transit of a Chinese oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz since military tensions escalated between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28.
According to reports, Iran has recently bolstered its influence in the Strait of Hormuz by securing agreements with Iraq and Pakistan regarding oil and gas exports. This development comes amid global concerns about potential disruptions that could threaten energy supplies through this vital waterway.
The development took place after Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that US naval forces imposing a naval blockade against Iran blocked a vessel carrying around two million barrels of Iraqi oil from continuing its route to Vietnam.
