Intelligence services and data provider Anfil Gas shared data with Riviera showing that 1993-built Marser is now sailing laden to China. Some shipping platforms still list the vessel under its previous name, Sea Hermes, indicating a recent name change. Equasis shows the vessel is now sailing under a false Madagascar flag.
Sea Hermes was targeted by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) last October for transporting Iranian cargoes. At the time, OFAC noted that UAE-based SEA Ship Management was operating the ship. Equasis now lists it under Global Sea Shipping FZ, also based in the UAE.
According to Anfil Gas, since the outbreak of the war on 28 February, two vessels – HH Glory and Danuta I – have exited the Strait laden and bound for China, while a third, Navixon, has entered in ballast. All three are linked to Iranian trade.
Iran- and China-linked vessels are now dominating Strait of Hormuz transits, amid a sharp escalation of attacks on commercial ships in recent hours.
Kpler data shared with Riviera showed that seven tankers and bulk carriers passed through the critical shipping lane from 6 March. Riviera previously reported three of these, including two Iran-linked tankers and one Greek-owned vessel.
New Kpler data indicate that four additional vessels have transited the Strait since its last update: one US-sanctioned, Iran-linked VLCC, two China-linked bulk carriers, and another Greek-owned bulk carrier.
The sanctioned VLCC, 2009-built Cume, sails under a false Guyana flag, according to Equasis data. Its operator, Dubai-based Harry Victor Ship Management, was sanctioned by OFAC in October 2024 for Iran links. At that time, the vessel was sailing under the name Goodwin.
Meanwhile, two bulk carriers – 2007-built Ksl Hengyang and 2002-built Sino Ocean – have also passed through Hormuz. Equasis lists Ksl Hengyang under China-based Nanjing King Ship Management, and Sino Ocean with Sinocean Shipping, also China-based.
Based on Kpler data, Ksl Hengyang transited the Strait carrying a sulphur cargo loaded in Jubail. The firm has tracked 23 vessels in recent days loading or laden with fertilisers in the Middle East Gulf.
Another bulk carrier to transit the Strait is 2007-built Star Maria, owned by Greece-based, US-listed Star Bulk. Riviera previously reported on another Star Bulk vessel being hit about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, with no injuries or pollution reported.
Source: Riviera
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