A Pakistani-flagged oil tanker, Shalamar, has exited the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz carrying crude oil loaded from the United Arab Emirates, according to shipping data from Kpler and LSEG, reported Reuters.
The Aframax tanker reportedly carried around 440,000 barrels of Abu Dhabi’s Das Blend crude, loaded earlier this week at an ADNOC terminal. The vessel is now en route to the port of Karachi, where it is expected to discharge its cargo on April 19, the data showed.
The Shalamar was among two Pakistani tankers that entered the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday to load crude and petroleum products, marking continued shipping activity through the vital energy corridor despite heightened regional tensions.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister confirmed earlier this week that the tanker had loaded crude from the UAE, while Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, which manages the vessel, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The movement comes amid reports of reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz this week following heightened security measures linked to a U.S. naval blockade. According to shipping advisories, the U.S. Navy has expanded restrictions to include cargoes deemed contraband, warning that vessels suspected of heading toward Iranian territory could be subjected to search operations.
The U.S. Central Command also said on social media platform X that several vessels had turned back at the direction of American forces following 72 hours of enforcement activity, raising concerns over potential disruptions in one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
