Two US Sanctioned Oil Tankers Cross Hormuz Amid Shadow Fleet Activity

(MENAFN) Two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) under US sanctions, Alicia and RHN, have moved through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf within the last day, based on publicly available ship-tracking information. This development suggests that activities linked to Iran’s so-called shadow fleet are persisting despite increased monitoring and enforcement efforts in the region.

One of the vessels, Alicia—capable of holding close to 2 million barrels—entered the Gulf via Hormuz on Wednesday while unladen. Tracking records indicate it is proceeding deeper into the Gulf following earlier movements associated with Iranian oil transactions, according to available data.

The second tanker, RHN, which has a comparable storage capacity, was also observed near the Hormuz passage the same day, moving in the direction of Iranian territorial waters. Records from sanctions-monitoring systems list the ship as being under US restrictions due to its involvement in oil-related dealings connected to Iran.

Should both ships take on full loads, they could collectively transport approximately 4 million barrels of crude. At an estimated price of $100 per barrel, this would translate into a total cargo value of roughly $400 million, based on available tracking figures.

These developments unfold as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continues to face major disruption. The situation intensified after Washington introduced a blockade targeting vessels that dock at Iranian ports, following unsuccessful negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad.

The waterway—responsible for a significant portion of global oil shipments—has become a focal point in the ongoing energy market turbulence sparked by the conflict that erupted on Feb. 28.

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