Russian oil and products trapped on tankers hit by Iran-related sanctions

RUSSIAN OIL and products have become trapped at sea on four tankers after the US hit the vessels with fresh Iran-related sanctions, LSEG data showed Friday.

The development shows how Moscow and Tehran have boosted cooperation in the face of rising Western sanctions and how the West is trying to untangle a complex web of firms to reduce the loopholes and revenue to both countries.

On April 4, the US imposed new Iran-related sanctions against a shipping firm Oceanlink Maritime DMCC and its vessels, citing its role in shipping commodities on behalf of the Iranian military.

The US is using financial sanctions to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund its proxy groups and support Russia's war in Ukraine.

The list of vessels under sanctions includes three fuel tankers, which loaded oil products in February-march and a crude oil tanker that loaded Russian oil early in April.

A very large crude carrier Anthea loaded some 200,000 metric tons of Russian Urals crude off the Laconian Gulf near Greece through separate ship to ship transfers with two vessels late in March and is currently anchored in the Suez Canal with oil onboard, LSEG data showed.

The vessel has remained at anchor in the Suez Canal since early April, according to LSEG data.

Another vessel under sanctions — Elsa — took fuel oil on board in March via a ship-to-ship transfer near the Greek port of Kalamata, LSEG data shows. The fuel oil, some 100,000 metric tons, was supplied to Kalamata from Russia's St. Petersburg and Ust-luga ports in March, according to the data.

On April 4, the US imposed new Iran-related sanctions against a shipping firm