Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Stark1

In a significant development in the ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed a strategic shift to a 'tanker-for-tanker' approach, taking decisive action against Iranian oil tankers. This response came on September 5, 2026, after Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles targeting U.S. naval assets, including an aircraft carrier and a destroyer. Thankfully, both American vessels successfully dodged the missiles, and no service members sustained injuries. In retaliation, CENTCOM targeted Iran's oil infrastructure, leading to the permanent incapacitation of two tankers. The first, the 'Downy' (IMO: 9218480), was struck off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal. The second tanker, 'Stark 1', encountered three urgent warnings from a U.S. military aircraft before being rendered inoperable near Jask. The final warning emphasized an immediate evacuation, with crew members discussing the situation in Persian and Urdu as they prepared to abandon ship. The 'Stark 1' had been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 due to its transport of Iranian oil. In an even more severe turn of events, a third vessel, the 'Kylo' (IMO: 9189146), was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman. The strikes on the 'Kylo' were particularly devastating, targeting multiple critical areas of the ship, which ultimately led to it sinking after the crew was ordered to evacuate. The assault, indicative of an antiship cruise missile attack, caused significant damage, leading to the vessel listing heavily before it submerged. At the time of the incident, the 'Kylo' was ballast, which mitigated potential environmental consequences. For further insights, check the video footage shared by CENTCOM: [Video 1](https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2096247889366290840/video/1) and [Video 2](https://twitter.com/i/status/2096397091769565468).

In a significant move, the Iranian-owned tanker CLOVE, part of the fleet operated by Tehran's National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), is en route to India to discharge a substantial oil cargo. According to ship tracking data from AIS, the Suezmax vessel, capable of transporting up to 1 million barrels of oil, is expected to dock at the eastern Indian port of Visakhapatnam on July 25. Alongside CLOVE, additional very large crude carriers (VLCCs) are traveling towards China, while another vessel remains anchored off the Egyptian port of Ain Sukhna. This shipping action comes in light of the European Union's embargo on Iranian oil imports, which took effect on July 1, prompting Iran to significantly increase its oil storage at sea. By the end of May, the International Energy Agency reported that Iranian tankers held approximately 42 million barrels of crude oil. Notably, around 60 percent of NITC's fleet, comprising 17 VLCCs and eight Suezmaxes, is currently utilized for crude storage offshore, as highlighted in a recent report citing anonymous shipbrokers. Source: Bloomberg