Iran resumes oil tanker loading at Kharg Island

Key facts

• An Iranian tanker was observed loading crude oil at Kharg Island on August 14.
• This is the first such loading activity at the island since late July.
• The tanker, a National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC, was loading 2 million barrels of crude.
• Iran's oil production appears to align with domestic consumption, suggesting limited need for exports.

For the first time since late July, an Iranian tanker was seen loading crude oil at Kharg Island on Friday, August 14, according to maritime tracking service TankerTrackers. The vessel, a National Iranian Tanker Company Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), was observed loading 2 million barrels of crude at the Azarpad jetty.

TankerTrackers noted that Iran has continued loading tankers at other terminals. The country's oil production appears to be roughly in line with refinery runs or domestic consumption, suggesting that Iran may not need to export significant volumes of crude.