Aging Iranian supertanker reappears at Kharg export hub

An aging Iranian supertanker that had been out of sight for years has resurfaced at the country’s key oil export terminal, in a development analysts say may signal mounting pressure on Iran’s crude storage capacity.

The vessel, Nasha, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) built in 1997 and sailing under the Iranian flag, was observed docked at Kharg Island on April 26, according to satellite imagery reviewed by advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran and Bloomberg News.

Kharg Island serves as Iran’s primary oil export hub, handling the majority of the country’s crude shipments.

The reappearance of the decades-old tanker after a prolonged absence from tracking systems has drawn attention among market observers. It may indicate that Tehran is reactivating older or previously retired vessels to support oil operations, particularly as storage facilities come under strain.

By Sabina Mammadli