Netanyahu: No Deal Possible with Iran’s Savages

Refineries and Energy Firms Avoid Iranian Blacklisted Ships

At least three Indian oil refineries and a major global energy company plan to stop using vessels included in Iran’s new shipping blacklist, according to four sources directly familiar with the matter speaking to Reuters. The vessels face avoidance for operations including ship-to-ship cargo transfers due to rising security concerns.

Tehran announced a blacklist containing 45 ships on Sunday, alleging those vessels violated passage rules through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran intends to take action against any watercraft transferring cargoes with the listed vessels, tightening maritime threats in the region.

Impact on Middle East Shuttle Tankers and Logistics

The Iranian maritime move aims to disrupt shuttle shipping operations utilized by Persian Gulf oil producers like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Reuters explains. Specialized tankers typically move oil from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz before transferring cargoes via ship-to-ship operations to secondary vessels for final delivery.

Ana Subašić, a trade risk analyst at maritime tracking firm Kpler, stated that buyers maintaining the strictest regulatory compliance requirements will avoid the listed vessels. Subašić noted that trade will likely reroute toward alternate ships, counterparties, or transfer locations rather than facing complete cessation.

Corporate Responses and Alternative Delivery Routes

Several charterers and ship operators are internally evaluating Iran’s warning regarding ship-to-ship transfer operations. One Persian Gulf oil buyer told Reuters that purchasing oil delivered directly to a final destination provides higher security compared to Free on Board (FOB) terms at ship-to-ship transfer sites in the Gulf of Oman.

“Our internal departments are still discussing how to proceed in the long term with crude oil supplies from the Strait of Hormuz via ship-to-ship operations,” stated Formosa Petrochemical Corp President C.Y. Lin, as reported by Reuters. Meanwhile, Iran has already targeted multiple tankers, including the Wedyan, Mombasa B, and Al Bahyah.

Subašić from Kpler emphasized that if Iran enforces its threats against vessels executing transfers with blacklisted tankers, the pool of willing owners, charterers, and buyers with Persian Gulf exposure will shrink. This enforcement would drive up preliminary vetting requirements, freight rates, insurance expenses, and risk premiums across regional trade routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Iran issue a shipping blacklist?

According to Reuters, Tehran published a blacklist of 45 ships to target vessels that allegedly violated rules for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, specifically aiming to disrupt shuttle shipping and ship-to-ship cargo transfers by Gulf producers.

How are energy companies reacting to the Iranian blacklist?

According to sources speaking with Reuters, at least three Indian oil refineries and a major global energy company plan to stop utilizing vessels on the blacklist for safety reasons, while other charterers are actively reviewing their logistics.

Which specific tankers have been linked to the disruptions?

Reuters reports that affected vessels include ships owned or chartered by Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), alongside specific targeted tankers named Wedyan, Mombasa B, and Al Bahyah.