An Iranian ‘ghost fleet’ of small tankers is successfully evading the U.S. naval blockade, smuggling sanctioned liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to China via a clandestine maritime hub off Malaysia, according to an investigation by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). UANI covertly filmed one such vessel, the SOGL, en route in September.
UANI stated that at least nine similar tankers carrying Iranian oil or LPG have breached U.S. restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz since Washington reinstated the blockade in July. The SOGL, identified as a sanctioned tanker, allegedly departed an Iranian port on September 1 after collecting approximately 500,000 barrels of Iranian LPG in August. The vessel then traveled to an offshore anchorage in Malaysia, where UANI filmed it receiving fuel and other services before continuing to China to discharge its cargo.
"This tanker had loaded its Iranian LPG from Assaluyeh Port, Iran, in late August. It then breached the US blockade and made its way to a Malaysian anchorage," Jemima Shelley, a senior analyst at UANI, explained. "What this shows us is that some vessels are managing to breach the US maritime blockade."
The Malaysian Eastern Outer Port Limits Anchorage, known as the EOPL, has become a crucial staging ground for Iran’s sanctioned energy trade with China. This offshore area allows vessels to receive supplies and transfer cargo between tankers, offering a logistical lifeline for Iranian energy exports while U.S. naval forces patrol closer to Iran.
Shelley noted that while most vessels comply with the blockade, "since the reinstatement in mid-July, we have seen only nine small tankers being successful in their breach of the US blockade and departing the Gulf of Oman laden with oil or LPG." The U.S. blockade, first imposed in April, was reinstated on July 14, significantly impacting Iran's oil exports and revenue.
UANI observed the SOGL at the EOPL anchorage, describing it as a "Handymax small tanker that was laden with 500,000 barrels of Iranian LPG." These smaller vessels, Shelley explained, exploit challenges in enforcing the blockade, particularly with volatile cargo like LPG. Tactics include disabling Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders and flying false flags to operate as stateless vessels.
"Often they will load, and then they will transit the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and then in the Gulf of Oman, they will conduct a ship-to-ship transfer there," Shelley said, highlighting the high risks involved with LPG transfers. The SOGL, identified by IMO number 9208227, was added to the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list on October 8 for its alleged involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum products since 2025.
The EOPL anchorage serves as a key node in Iran's oil trade to China, facilitating ship-to-ship transfers and acting as a floating storage area. This has allowed Iran to continue exports despite sanctions. "For years, China has made up 80% of Iran’s liquid cargo exports, and we have seen that only grow since the beginning of the Iran War. Now China is importing almost 100% of Iran’s oil and LPG exports," Shelley stated. This trade benefits Iran by allowing it to avoid sanctions and provides China with heavily discounted oil and LPG.
Instead of a ship-to-ship transfer, the SOGL reportedly proceeded directly to Xinzhou Port in China, where it discharged its Iranian LPG. The report also mentioned the G Summer, another U.S.-sanctioned LPG carrier, which was tracked transmitting signals from the Arabian Sea in April, indicating an "all Chinese crew" and Iran as its last cargo country.