Vitol was heard chartering a Medium Range oil tanker, the Ore, for prompt loading at an Iranian port. The vessel will haul 35,000 tons of a clean petroleum product to an unknown destination.
 
Iran typically exports crude and has been ramping up such exports since sanctions were lifted in January. Shipbrokers told OPIS that Vitol’s charter was not the only one they have seen.
 
“A few charterers have started doing Iran business on the refined oil products market — Total, Clearlake, Vitol, ST Shipping,” said one shipbroker. Referring to the Vitol charter, he added: “I’d assume it’s gasoil given the local market.”
 
Clearlake is the shipping arm of Gunvor, and ST Shipping is the shipping unit of Glencore.