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Tankers with Iranian oil look to Pakistan for safe harbour as US blockade takes effect

The Rani and the Amil, carrying a combined 1 million barrels of crude, may be heading to Pakistan to either wait or transfer their cargoes

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Oil tankers and cargo vessels anchor off Port Sultan Qaboos near the Strait of Hormuz on June 21. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Bloomberg
Two tankers carrying Iranian oil are signalling Pakistan as their destination – an unusual move that may be an indication they are seeking a safe place to wait as the US blockade takes effect.

The Rani and the Amil, which are carrying a combined 1 million barrels of crude, switched their destination signals to Karachi on Tuesday, ship-tracking data show. The two vessels were already outside the Persian Gulf when Washington reimposed its naval blockade of Iranian shipping.

It is unlikely the tankers will discharge their cargoes in Pakistan, as that would expose the country to the risk of running afoul of US sanctions. The nation has not imported any Iranian crude in at least a decade, according to data intelligence firm Kpler.

Instead, the vessels, a Suezmax and a medium-range tanker, may be heading to Pakistani waters to either wait or transfer their cargoes to other ships.

Oil tankers and cargo vessels waiting to dock at Port Sultan Qaboos anchor off the coast of Oman on June 23. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Oil tankers and cargo vessels waiting to dock at Port Sultan Qaboos anchor off the coast of Oman on June 23. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

This is not the first time tankers carrying Iran oil have stopped in waters off Karachi.

Previously, when the US blockade was in place, several empty Iran-linked tankers idled in the area to stay close to the Persian Gulf as they waited for the right time to sail back in for more cargoes, according to non-profit organisation United Against Nuclear Iran.

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