{"id":61987,"date":"2026-04-11T10:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/61987\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T10:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:36:12","slug":"russian-flagged-tanker-transits-hormuz-into-gulf-in-rare-passage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/61987\/","title":{"rendered":"Russian-Flagged Tanker Transits Hormuz Into Gulf in Rare Passage"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Weilun Soon<\/p>\n

Apr 10, 2026 (Bloomberg) \u2013A Russian-flagged supertanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, marking a rare passage for one of the nation\u2019s ships as traders scrutinize every transit through the war-hit waterway.<\/p>\n

The Arhimeda, a 2000-built very-large crude carrier, sailed westward through the conduit late on Thursday, ship-tracking data show. The vessel, which was unloaded, had indicated Iran\u2019s Kharg Island \u2014 the Islamic Republic\u2019s main crude-export hub as its destination \u2014 before showing \u201cfor orders\u201d. That phrase is often used to show a vessel has no clear instructions for its next call.<\/p>\n

Global investors have zeroed in on activity in strait, as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran brought marine traffic to a\u00a0near-standstill<\/a>, squeezing global energy supplies and spiking prices. Washington and Tehran are set to hold high-stakes talks this weekend in Pakistan after reaching a tentative and fragile ceasefire in the war that erupted at the end of February.<\/p>\n

The Arhimeda switched to the Russian flag in January, according to a database run on behalf of the\u00a0International Maritime Organization<\/a>, making it one of only four VLCC\u2019s that sail under the country\u2019s colors. The move came as the US had blockaded Venezuela and was seizing tankers, prompting some so-called dark-fleet vessels to seek the perceived protection of Moscow\u2019s flag.<\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0Dark Fleet Seeking Russian Protection as US Seizes Oil Tankers<\/a><\/p>\n

Its last known cargo was a shipment of Merey crude from Venezuela last August, a few months before the US snatched former President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and asserted control over the South American country\u2019s energy flows. Before that, the Arhimeda was\u00a0sanctioned<\/a>\u00a0by the US Treasury Department in July under its former name, Vizuri, for alleged links to the Iranian oil trade.<\/p>\n

While almost all Hormuz transits have halted, Iran\u2019s crude cargoes have proceeded as usual. Kharg has been hit by at least two US strikes, although these concentrated on military targets, not facilities vital for oil flows.<\/p>\n

Arhimeda\u2019s owner and manager is listed as Egir Shipping Ltd. on database Equasis, with a Seychelles-based address that\u2019s been linked to other US-sanctioned entities. Its technical manager is Pro Ocean Management LLC in Azerbaijan. There were no contact details listed for both companies.<\/p>\n

\u00a9\u00a02026\u00a0Bloomberg L.P.<\/p>\n

Editorial Standards<\/a> \u00b7 Corrections<\/a> \u00b7 About gCaptain<\/a><\/p>\n

This article contains reporting from Bloomberg, published under license.<\/p>\n

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