Iran Tanker Sailing to Singapore After Leaving Export Facility

An Iranian crude oil-tanker signaled it’s sailing for Singapore after calling at Kharg Island, the Persian Gulf country’s biggest export facility, ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The Leadership, a very large crude carrier controlled by Tehran-based National Iranian Tanker Co., can go as low as 22.5 meters when filled with a 2 million barrel cargo. The vessel signaled for Singapore on Aug. 15 with a draft of 22 meters, according to data from IHS Inc. (IHS), an Englewood, Colorado-based research company. It had a draft of 11.3 meters on Aug. 14 and the depth change suggests cargo was loaded.

At least 16 tankers calling at Iranian oil terminals unloaded or delivered cargoes in India, China, or Japan this month, or are signaling they’ll arrive at Asian destinations in August, according to the tracking data.

Europe banned insurance cover of risks including oil spills for Iranian cargoes from July 1 while the U.S. imposed financial and trade sanctions on Iran.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rob Sheridan in London at rsheridan6@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net