Iranian ‘Ghost Fleet’ Tankers Bypassing US Naval Blockade to Deliver Sanctioned Fuel to China
Investigation reveals Iranian ghost fleet tankers are successfully evading US naval blockades to smug sanctioned LPG to China via Malaysian maritime hubs.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A network of small Iranian tankers is reportedly successfully bypassing a United States naval blockade to smuggle sanctioned liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Chinese markets.
An investigation by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) details how these vessels utilize a clandestine offshore maritime hub located near Malaysia as a transit point to evade international restrictions.
During a multi-month probe, investigators captured covert footage of a specific vessel, the SOGL, while it was in transit last September.
The report, which was released on Sunday evening, November 1, 2026, identifies at least nine tankers involved in these ‘ghost fleet’ operations designed to transport Iranian energy products.
These findings suggest that the Islamic Republic is leveraging complex maritime routes to maintain fuel exports despite ongoing U.S. enforcement efforts.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
