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 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 United Arab Emirates' 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.

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

The Gulf supplied about 20% 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 "7-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.

1. Kiku
2. Mubaraz
3. Minoan Pioneer
4. Hafeet
5. Al Rekayyat
6. Wedyan
7. Cyprus Prosperity
8. Al Rawdah
9. Rasheeda
10. Lebrethah
11. Lila Vadinar
12. Maha Roos
13. Gfs Galaxy
14. Al Bahyah
15. Mombasa B
16. Stolt Magnesium
17. Al Watan
18. Navig8 Messi
19. Singapore Prosperity
20. Disha
21. Gaslog Shanghai
22. Lubna
23. Hazi 1
24. Ryujin
25. Anna Barbara
26. Sunbird Arrow
27. Minoan Dignity
28. Maria
29. Kavomaleas
30. Mardan
31. Sweden Prosperity
32. Jarnain
33. Kaifan
34. Nissos Kea
35. Rotterdam Energy
36. Al Hamra
37. Umm Al Ashtan
38. Marigold Lng
39. Banastar
40. Navara
41. Nissos Heraclea
42. Blue Star 1
43. Ashley
44. Mraweh
45. Al Lulu

— Reuters