Iran threatens 45 tankers with fines, confiscation in Hormuz escalation

Iran said it had blacklisted 45 tankers that had broken its rules for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and would take action against any vessels transferring loads with them, escalating its threats over the key waterway six months into the war.

The named vessels could be fined, detained and have their cargoes confiscated, according to an X post late on Sunday (Aug 23) from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new body set up by Iran to manage the strait.

The warning was issued within days of the US threatening Iran with "the toughest sanctions in history", and Iran saying its response to any new US threats would be "devastating".

The restricted list includes very large crude carriers, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers, and clean product vessels, among others.

Some of the named ships are owned by the UAE's ADNOC Logistics and Shipping (ADNOC L&S), ADNOC's subsidiary Navig8 Tankers, and Saudi Arabia's national shipping carrier Bahri.

Any vessels involved in ship-to-ship transfers with the named vessels could be added to the blacklist, the Iranian X post added.

The post did not spell out what it meant by Iran's rules, but Tehran has in the past said ship-owners should get its clearance to transit the strait and said ships should pay for security and other services.

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The US has also imposed a naval blockade against Iran-related shipping.

The Gulf supplied about 20 per cent of the world's daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas before the Iran conflict disrupted tanker traffic.

US-coordinated efforts to shuttle tankers quietly through the Strait of Hormuz to fill supertankers waiting just outside it are helping restore some of those export volumes.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on X on Friday that the "seven-day average of oil leaving the Strait is over 8 million barrels a day. Make no mistake, thanks to the US Navy, oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz".

Ships owned by Klaveness Ship Management, Stolt Tankers and South Korea's Sinokor were also included on the blacklist.

ADNOC declined to comment, while other shipping firms did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority has said cargo owners should refer to an updated list of vessels deemed non-compliant for voyages relating to the Gulf.

Ships seeking the removal of their names from the non-compliant vessels' list must submit a request with relevant explanations to Iran's maritime authorities, the post said.

Below is the list of vessels appearing in the non-compliance list.

Number, vessel name, IMO number:

• 1 Kiku 9329796
• 2 Mubaraz 9074626
• 3 Minoan Pioneer 9471630
• 4 Hafeet 9928009
• 5 Al Rekayyat 9397339
• 6 Wedyan 9524970
• 7 Cyprus Prosperity 9595216
• 8 Al Rawdah 9734513
• 9 Rasheeda 9443413
• 10 Lebrethah 9976927
• 11 Lila Vadinar 9324100
• 12 Maha Roos 9231004
• 13 Gfs Galaxy 9401271
• 14 Al Bahyah 9937799
• 15 Mombasa B 9739501
• 16 Stolt Magnesium 9739317
• 17 Al Watan 9615030
• 18 Navig8 Messi 9482859
• 19 Singapore Prosperity 9419967
• 20 Disha 9250713
• 21 Gaslog Shanghai 9600528
• 22 Lubna 9489065
• 23 Hazi 1 7802598
• 24 Ryujin 8206818
• 25 Anna Barbara 9407500
• 26 Sunbird Arrow 9323821
• 27 Minoan Dignity 9294484
• 28 Maria 9917828
• 29 Kavomaleas 1042823
• 30 Mardan 9360453
• 31 Sweden Prosperity 9588392
• 32 Jarnain 9823546
• 33 Kaifan 9656046
• 34 Nissos Kea 9920758
• 35 Rotterdam Energy 9508859
• 36 Al Hamra 9074640
• 37 Umm Al Ashtan 9074652
• 38 Marigold Lng 9230062
• 39 Banastar 9228045
• 40 Navara 9241798
• 41 Nissos Heraclea 9419618
• 42 Blue Star 1 9215115
• 43 Ashley 9258466
• 44 Mraweh 9074638
• 45 Al Lulu 9583627

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