A Pakistan-flagged oil tanker has exited the Strait of Hormuz carrying crude oil, becoming the first such vessel to leave the Gulf since the United States (US) restrictions came into effect earlier this week.
According to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, the tanker Shalamar departed into the Gulf of Oman late Thursday after loading around 450,000 barrels of crude from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
While the vessel is currently signaling Karachi as its destination, its movement comes days after the US imposed restrictions on maritime traffic in the region, affecting oil shipments through the strait.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has remained limited since tensions escalated following US-Israeli strikes on February 28. Vessel movement has largely remained low, with only a small number of ships transiting the route.
Under the current restrictions, shipowners are required to obtain clearance from both American and Iranian authorities before transporting oil and other cargo through the Gulf.
Data indicates that only a few tankers have managed to pass through the strait in recent weeks, even before American restrictions were introduced.
The Shalamar had earlier attempted to enter the Gulf but turned back after US-Iran talks did not progress. It later reached Das Island, where it loaded crude before resuming its journey.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that several vessels had reversed course in recent days, indicating hesitation among ship operators.
The restricted zone is reported to extend from the Omani coast near Ras al Hadd to the Iran-Pakistan border.
