Another Malaysian-linked tanker transits Strait of Hormuz

A support vessel owned by Malaysian firm Vantris Energy has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the fourth Malaysian-linked ship to navigate the waterway since the outbreak of the U.S.–Iran conflict, according to LSEG shipping data on May 15.

The vessel, Sapura 1200, was among seven ships for which the Malaysian government reportedly sought Iranian clearance to transit the strategic chokepoint, which has been heavily restricted since hostilities escalated in late February, disrupting global energy flows, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Tracking data showed the ship hugging the Iranian coastline before proceeding toward Oman, where it later entered Muscat port.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in March that Iran had agreed to allow Malaysian vessels to pass through the strait following discussions with Iranian officials. Authorities have said the request covered vessels linked to MISC Berhad, state energy firm Petronas, and Vantris Energy.

Other Malaysian-linked vessels have also recently transited the waterway under similar arrangements. These include the Liberia-flagged VLCC Serifos, which exited the strait on April 10 after transporting crude from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, later discharging it in Malaysia’s Malacca port.

Another tanker, Ocean Thunder—chartered by a Petronas unit and carrying Iraqi crude—passed through on April 5 before offloading about one million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude in Malaysia. A third vessel, Mihzem, carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas and managed by an MISC unit, crossed the strait on May 12.

Despite these passages, two additional MISC-linked ships remain stranded in the Gulf, according to shipping data and sources, underscoring continued disruptions to maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

By Sabina Mammadli