Sanctioned Iranian Tanker Evades U.S. Blockade to Deliver LPG to China

The SOGL, operated by the Marshall Islands-based Gravion Maritime Company, departed from Assaluyeh Port in late August. According to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the tanker navigated the blockade on September 1 before stopping at an anchorage off Malaysia for refueling. By October 8, the U.S. Treasury Department had formally sanctioned the vessel, citing its role in transporting over two million barrels of Iranian propane and butane since September 2025.

While the U.S. maritime blockade has effectively halted crude oil exports—with no tankers successfully bypassing enforcement since July 12—smaller vessels carrying non-crude cargoes continue to exploit loopholes. Analysts note that these ships frequently disable AIS transponders and utilize false flags to mask their origins. UANI reports that approximately 53 tankers remain stranded along the Iranian coast, unable to move their crude inventories, while China continues to absorb nearly the entirety of Iran's remaining liquid energy exports.