Tankers with Iranian oil look to Pakistan for safe harbour amid US blockade

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.

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.