Iran reactivates 30-year-old VLCC carrier As Kharg Island storage pressure mounts

Iran has brought a previously retired very large crude carrier (VLCC) back into service amid concerns over storage constraints at its key export hub, Kharg Island, according to maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com.

In a post on X, the company said, “To prepare for the possibility of running out of oil storage space at Kharg Island, Iran has brought NASHA (9079107) out of retirement.”

The vessel, NASHA (IMO 9079107), is a 30-year-old VLCC that had been anchored empty for several years before being reactivated.

TankerTrackers noted that the ship is currently on a voyage taking around four days, compared with a normal transit time of 1.5 to 2 days.

By Aghakazim Guliyev