US Blockade Ineffective: Iran Successfully Exports 10.7 Million Barrels of Oil to China in April

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHRAN – Iran reportedly succeeded in exporting a total of 10.7 million barrels of oil to China in April amid maritime blockade actions by the United States (US). This is according to Kpler data cited by The Cradle over the past weekend. According to the Kpler report, Iran shipped around 985,000 barrels per day (bpd), indicating that their tanker loading and unloading activities “continued” without interruption. Kpler stated that the blockade has “disrupted Iran’s oil machine, but not destroyed it,” while referring to the stable ongoing activity of oil loading infrastructure onto tankers heading to China. Tankers were reported to remain positioned at Iranian ports, while storage at the Jask export terminal, which loads oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, reached a record 5.8 million barrels. Meanwhile, Vortexa reported that 10.7 million barrels of crude oil successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz between 13 and 21 April 2024, including 35 transits involving US-sanctioned Iranian tankers. Vortexa added that the US Navy operates in a broader maritime zone, not in the Strait of Hormuz, thus not hindering Iranian tanker traffic. Meanwhile, Iranian media reports citing Chinese data mentioned 14 ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours on 21 April, including three tankers. Referring to the above data, although the US has increased pressure on Iranian exports, oil exports continue to flow on a large scale, supported by alternative export routes and ongoing tanker activities. However, the US Central Command (US CENTCOM) stated they redirected 31 ships and seized or took control of others as part of law enforcement, though overall ship activities continued to operate.