SINGAPORE — The supertanker Agios Fanourios I is en route to Vietnam to discharge its Iraqi crude oil cargo after being held for five days by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Oman, the vessel’s manager said on Monday.
The Maltese-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) exited the Strait of Hormuz on May 10. It was redirected by U.S. forces on May 11 before resuming its journey toward Vietnam on May 16. It is expected to arrive at the Nghi Son refinery on May 30.
The tanker can carry up to two million barrels of oil. A source at its Athens-based manager, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, confirmed the vessel received U.S. Navy approval to proceed.
U.S. Central Command previously stated the ship was redirected as part of the ongoing blockade enforcement against Iran.
Limited Traffic
Crude oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited. At least two other crude tankers passed through last week, while overall daily passages are far below pre-conflict levels of 125 to 140 vessels per day. Before the war, the strait carried around 20% of global energy supplies.
Shipping confidence in the area remains low, according to ship broker Clarksons. In the past 24 hours, 12 additional ships crossed the strait, including two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers bound for India.
