Maritime analytics firm: Iran's Kharg Island resumes crude oil loading operations

Golden Ten Data reported on June 5 that UK-based maritime analytics firm Windward released a report on June 4. According to the report, satellite images captured on June 2 showed a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) berthed near the western offshore terminal quay of Khark Island. This was the first confirmed docking of a vessel at the facility since it was shut down in early May due to a suspected oil leak. On June 3, both the VLCC at the western berth and a Panamax tanker at the eastern T-shaped quay were undertaking loading operations simultaneously. By June 4, the VLCC had completed loading and departed the port, while the Panamax tanker remained docked. Windward stated that the activity comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) speedboats remain highly active throughout the Strait of Hormuz. The sustained high-intensity operations indicate that the IRGC is maintaining a high state of readiness to support Iran-affiliated vessels transiting the strait.