Iranian tankers are facing a serious crisis in Asian waters. The pressure of U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil export network has now reached the vital services for ships, causing dozens of Iranian and Iran-related tankers to remain stranded in Asian waters.
Tankers Stopped Near Sri Lanka
About 20 empty Iranian tankers have been stopped approximately 15 miles off the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. According to reports, some of the ships have turned off their engines and remain in the waters, raising concerns about the reduction of food, fuel, and fresh water supplies for the crew.
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This situation is essentially a continuation of the U.S. pressure campaign against Iran's oil exports. Dozens of Iranian tankers that previously transported oil to China have been stranded near countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia since July.
Impact of Sanctions on Maritime Services
Reports indicate that after the intensification of U.S. pressure, many Asian ports and maritime service companies have refused to provide services to these ships. This refusal is due to concerns about U.S. secondary sanctions. In August, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo informed the Sri Lankan government about the presence of 19 Iranian tankers near the coast and requested that the country's authorities warn port service providers about the risk of sanctions.
Several tankers moved away from Sri Lankan territorial waters after receiving these warnings and headed towards deeper waters of the Indian Ocean. Additionally, in early September, two container ships flying the Iranian flag were stationed in the vicinity of Colombo port, where Sri Lankan port authorities stated that providing services to these ships was not appropriate due to the risk of U.S. sanctions.
Supply Situation for the Ships
Food and water supplies for Iranian tankers have also been affected. Sri Lankan shipping companies have reported that local suppliers are facing difficulties in sending supplies to these ships. Some crew members have asked maintenance staff to bring food and supplies with them.
For example, the tanker Elva, which loaded oil from Khark Island and delivered its cargo in August through a ship-to-ship transfer after passing through the Strait of Hormuz, is currently remaining near Malaysia. The Parnia, an Iranian cargo ship, has been stopped near the southeastern coast of Malaysia since July.
Some analysts believe that Iran's oil reserves, which are still awaiting transfer to buyers, will be depleted in the coming weeks, and Iran's oil revenue will reach zero by the end of the calendar year. This estimate is presented as an economic analysis of the current situation.
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