Pakistan: Two US-sanctioned tankers carrying nearly one million barrels of Iranian crude have changed their destination signals to Karachi after Washington intensified enforcement of its naval blockade on Iranian oil shipments, according to Bloomberg ship-tracking data. The vessels, Rani and Amil, updated their destination signals on Tuesday while already outside the Persian Gulf. Analysts say the move is unlikely to indicate an oil delivery to Pakistan, which has not imported Iranian crude for more than a decade due to US sanctions.
Why Have Iranian Oil Tankers Signalled Karachi as Their Next Destination?
Maritime analysts believe the tankers are likely heading to waters off Karachi as a temporary holding area or to conduct ship-to-ship cargo transfers before proceeding to their final destination. Charlie Brown, an adviser to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), said the vessels may be remaining near Pakistan to wait out developments while staying close to the Persian Gulf, rather than intending to unload their cargo in Pakistan.
Will Pakistan Import Iranian Crude Oil?
Analysts consider this highly unlikely, as receiving Iranian crude would expose Pakistan to the risk of US sanctions. Vortexa senior market analyst Xavier Tang said the vessels may also be sailing closer to Pakistan to avoid US naval patrols while using Karachi as a navigational waypoint. Both Rani and Amil are under US sanctions and form part of what Washington describes as Iran’s “dark fleet” used to transport crude oil despite international restrictions.