MM Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s oil carrier ‘Karachi’ has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz with special permission from Iranian authorities, navigating one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways amid heightened regional tensions. The vessel, carrying over 80 million litres of oil, is now en route to Pakistan, according to shipping sources.
The American magazine Bloomberg reported that the Pakistani tanker’s passage through the Strait of Hormuz indicates the activation of an Iran-approved corridor, suggesting that obtaining Iranian permission has become mandatory for vessels seeking to navigate the critical waterway. Two cargo ships that had docked at an Iranian port also followed the same route on Monday morning while keeping their location tracking systems active.
This newly established corridor now requires vessels to receive a green signal from Tehran before transit, with several countries including India and Turkey having already requested safe passage from Iran. The development marks a significant shift in maritime navigation through the strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes daily.
Insurance companies and banks are reportedly concerned about growing risks along the Iranian route, as the conflict between Iran and Israel continues to threaten shipping lanes in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, has become increasingly volatile in recent weeks, with multiple vessels reporting attacks and near-misses amid the escalating military confrontation.
