An oil tanker named Nissos Keros, vital for India’s petroleum supply, has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, flying the Marshall Islands flag, departed from Shajrah on May 21 and is en route to Vishakapatnam, expected to arrive on June 3. The ship was spotted in the Northern Arabian Sea off India’s west coast at 6 am Indian Standard Time on Friday.
Iran’s IRGC Navy permitted the passage of 23 commercial ships, including oil tankers and container vessels, through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours. All transits were reportedly authorized after formal coordination with IRGC naval authorities. It remains uncertain whether these ships were required to pay a fee for passage through the Strait.
Iran’s recent establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to oversee maritime traffic in the region has raised concerns. The United Nations has deemed it unlawful to impose fees for navigation in international waters. The US has urged Iran to ensure unrestricted navigation through the Strait, a critical issue affecting efforts to resolve the Iran conflict.
US President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait open to all parties. Iran’s actions in the region, including threats to disrupt navigation and economic activities, have escalated tensions. The oil tanker Nissos Keros, owned by Arethusa Shipping Corporation and operated by Kyklades Maritime Corporation, is a significant vessel in the current maritime scenario.
