After two weeks, the first bulk carrier passes through the Strait of Hormuz westward in a traceable state!

According to Lloyd's List, a Greek-flagged Panamax bulk carrier recently became the first bulk carrier to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned on since March 2nd.

The vessel, named "Giacometti" (IMO: 9615377), with a deadweight tonnage of 81,713 tons and flying the Liberian flag, is owned by Greek bulk carrier owner Oceanbulk Shipping.

This Panamax vessel is the first bulk carrier to sail westward into the Persian Gulf since the Panama-flagged "MLS Onyx" (IMO: 9373618) passed through the strait on March 5th. However, at that time, the vessel was operating under a so-called "dark transit" with its AIS turned off.

The "Giacometti" previously showed its destination port as Imam Khomeini Port, near the border of Iran and Iraq, but changed it to "Transporting food supplies to Iran" at 10:33 on March 20th.

Two other bulk carriers – the Panama-flagged "Bunun Miracle" (IMO: 9867372) with a deadweight tonnage of 37,655 tons and the Liberian-flagged "Victoria" (IMO: 9336828) with a deadweight tonnage of 50,233 tons – also passed westward through the strait with their AIS turned on, on March 1st and 2nd respectively.

According to Lloyd's List, the bulk carrier circumvented Larak Island at 10:54 on March 20th, with its route similar to the "safe corridor" path established by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

At least nine other vessels sailed along the same route, circumventing Larak Island after approaching the Iranian coast to pass through the strait. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses this route for visual confirmation of passing vessels.

Two vessels associated with the Indian government and one vessel associated with the Pakistani government were observed taking this unconventional route. It is reported that both India and Pakistan are in negotiations with Tehran to secure safe passage for their vessels.

According to intelligence data from Lloyd's List, there are currently over 200 bulk carriers with a deadweight tonnage of over 25,000 tons located within the Persian Gulf, the vast majority of which are smaller than Capesize vessels.

Image source: Lloyd's List Intelligence

Another Greek owner operating in the bulk carrier sector, Star Bulk, has a fleet of over 400,000 deadweight tons of bulk carriers in the Persian Gulf. Their vessel, the "Star Gwyneth" (IMO: 9301031), passed eastward through the Strait of Hormuz just days after being hit by projectile attacks 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.

Source: Veyun.com