First Pakistani Crude Oil Tanker Successfully Exits Hormuz Strait Amid Rising Tensions

Amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf following US and Israeli military actions, the first Pakistani crude oil tanker has successfully passed through the Hormuz Strait. The Aframax tanker named ‘Shalamar’ traversed south of Iran’s Larak Island and entered the Gulf of Oman just days after the US-imposed blockade began. The vessel is scheduled to dock at Karachi Port on Sunday, carrying approximately 450,000 barrels of crude oil.

Since the full US blockade commenced last Monday, ‘Shalamar’ became the first carrier to navigate this strategic waterway. According to ship tracking data, this Pakistani-flagged Aframax tanker departed late Thursday, passing south of Larak Island in Iran and entering the Gulf of Oman. Loaded with about 450,000 barrels of crude oil from Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, the ship is set to arrive at Karachi Port this Sunday.

The tanker embarked with roughly half of its full capacity, and its voyage has attracted significant attention in international markets. Since late February, when the US and Israel initiated airstrikes against Iran, maritime traffic through this narrow passage has drastically reduced. The current US naval blockade requires mandatory approvals from both Iranian and US authorities for transporting oil or other goods out of the Persian Gulf.

Although several supertankers have exited the region over the past week, it is rare for a crude oil tanker to have crossed the Hormuz Strait in the last seven weeks. While Iran has granted special permissions to some Pakistani vessels, ‘Shalamar’s’ passage through the strait mere days after the blockade began is considered unusual from both diplomatic and strategic perspectives. This development signals a potential, albeit limited, resumption of oil supplies through one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. However, due to the tense environment, the number of vessels transiting remains in single digits.