Several oil companies to avoid using ships on Iran's blacklist over security concerns, sources say

Several oil companies, including at least three Indian refiners and a global energy major, plan to avoid using vessels on Iran's new blacklist due to security concerns. Iran announced a blacklist of 45 ships on Sunday, stating it would take action against any vessels transferring loads with them, escalating threats over the Strait of Hormuz. This move aims to impede "shuttle runs" used by Gulf oil producers to move oil through Hormuz for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the Gulf of Oman. The named vessels could face fines, detention, and cargo confiscation, according to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. One Indian refinery source stated, "We will avoid our chartered vessels dealing or STS or anything to do with non-compliant ships for Middle Eastern cargoes." Some blacklisted tankers are owned or chartered by Saudi Aramco and ADNOC. Trade risk analysts expect compliance-sensitive buyers to avoid these vessels, likely rerouting trade through alternative means rather than ceasing it entirely. Two of the 12 very large crude carriers on the blacklist stopped transmitting their location by Tuesday.