By Weilun Soon April 14, 2026 – A tanker from China that is under US sanctions is moving out of the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, which is testing President Donald Trump’s naval blockade. The tanker, Ric...
By Weilun Soon
April 14, 2026 – A tanker from China that is under US sanctions is moving out of the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, which is testing President Donald Trump’s naval blockade.
The tanker, Rich Starry, previously named Full Star, was blacklisted by the US in 2023 for assisting Iran in avoiding energy sanctions. It is unclear if the tanker stopped at Iranian ports before this journey or if it is carrying any cargo.
This is the second attempt for the Rich Starry; it first moved as the US blockade went into effect on Monday but turned back before resuming its journey hours later. It appeared to head towards the eastern side of Hormuz on Tuesday.
Shipowners, energy traders, and investors are closely monitoring the tanker’s path through Hormuz to gauge the US's efforts to pressure Iran and limit its oil revenues.
“The key issue isn’t just whether ships can pass through Hormuz, but what enforcement measures US warships will implement and where they will focus their efforts,” said Charlie Brown, an advisor to United Against Nuclear Iran, a US lobby group focused on Iranian issues.
The Rich Starry initially reported that it had a Chinese owner and crew, which is a common safety step for ships crossing the strait amid current tensions in the Persian Gulf. This move could test the US resolve against vessels linked to the world's top oil importer. Now, tracking data shows the tanker has changed its destination to the Omani port of Sohar.
During its crossing, the tanker’s location signals have been inconsistent, likely due to electronic interference in the area that can cause incorrect speed and location readings.
Another tanker, the Elpis, was in the strait heading towards the Gulf of Oman when the blockade started. It seems to have stopped outside the narrow waterway near the Iranian coast. According to tracking platforms Kpler and Vortexa, the Elpis had docked at an Iranian port before trying to pass through Hormuz, making it a potential target for US Navy patrols. This ship was sanctioned by the US last year under its former name, Chamtang, for its connections to the Iranian oil industry.
Many shipowners in the Middle East and Asia, who now need to get approvals from both Iran and the US to leave the Persian Gulf, say they will hold off on attempts to navigate through the strait until they better understand how the blockade works.
The blockade has raised concerns among Asian countries that depend on Middle Eastern energy and fuel. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged global parties to encourage peace talks between Tehran and Washington, according to a statement from Beijing.
If the US were to stop a Chinese vessel, it could further unsettle markets and public sentiment.
“At best, Trump's announcement is just a show, and at worst, it represents an escalation,” said Carlos Casanova, senior Asia economist at Union Bancaire Privee in Hong Kong.
The Rich Starry claims to be flying a flag from Malawi, but the landlocked African country has stated it has no official registry for ocean-going vessels.
The Rich Starry is owned by Full Star Shipping Ltd., which shares contact details with Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co. Ltd., according to the maritime database Equasis. Attempts to reach Shanghai Xuanrun by phone were unsuccessful, and the company did not respond to email inquiries. This Shanghai-based entity is also on the US sanctions list.
The owner of the Elpis is Chartchemical SA, which uses the contact details of its manager, IMS Ltd. A phone call to IMS, based in Malaysia, did not connect, and the company didn't reply to an email request for comment.