Live Updates > Live Update Details
2026-07-17 18:20:12
[Sanctioned Tankers Make Unusual Turns Back, US-Iran Shipping Confrontation Continues to Escalate at Sea] ⑴ Two oil tankers sanctioned by the US and carrying cooking fuel were observed making unusual maneuvers, including turning around and serpentine maneuvers, in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea this week, coinciding with the US launching a new round of pressure campaign against Iranian shipping starting Tuesday. ⑵ The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Glendale suddenly turned back while sailing in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday evening and is currently lingering near the coast of Oman; another vessel, Danuta I, changed course sharply and repeatedly immediately after entering the Arabian Sea and is currently maintaining a low speed. ⑶ A third very large LPG carrier, Celeste, also sanctioned by the US, was observed continuing to enter the Arabian Sea. The different reactions of the three vessels indicate a divergence in strategies between shipowners and operators when facing enforcement risks. ⑷ Such irregular navigation maneuvers are usually intended to evade tracking or respond to sudden orders, reflecting the significantly increased operating costs and psychological burden on the vessels involved due to increased regulatory pressure in the current waters, further complicating regional shipping order.
