An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel is currently navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, defying a US blockade on Iranian ports along the crucial trade corridor. The Shoja 2 cargo ship set sail from the Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, as per reports from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. It is en route to the Port of Kandla in India.
The flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted since Iran sealed the vital trade route in response to combined US-Israeli military actions that commenced on February 28. Despite a temporary ceasefire, the US has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait to pressure Iran into reopening the passage and meeting peace negotiation terms.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil transport passes through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has had a significant impact on global markets, leading to a surge in oil prices.
Recently released footage from the US Central Command captured the moment when US marines boarded an Iranian tanker after reportedly causing damage to its engine room. Marines were seen descending from a US aircraft onto the Iranian vessel as it approached the Strait of Hormuz.
While there is no independent verification of the cargo ship’s transit through the strait, Al Jazeera news agency reported that marine tracking data from MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics provider, indicates that the ship is currently sailing through the strait. MarineTraffic data shows that the Shoja 2 is heading towards India.