According to a Xinhua report on June 5, UK maritime analytics firm Windward released a monitoring update on June 4, confirming via latest satellite images that Iran’s key oil export hub—Kharg Island—has resumed crude loading operations. The facility had been shut down in early May due to a suspected oil spill, and the restart, after about a month of interruption, signals Tehran’s effort to rapidly rebuild its most critical offshore export corridor.
The satellite images paint a clear timeline of the recovery. On June 2, a very large crude carrier (VLCC, typically 200,000 to 300,000 deadweight tons) was spotted for the first time near the western offshore terminal jetty of Kharg Island, marking the first confirmed tanker arrival since the shutdown. Just a day later, on June 3, broader imagery showed that the VLCC at the west berth had begun loading crude, while simultaneously a Panamax tanker (around 60,000 to 80,000 dwt, designed to transit the Panama Canal) was loading at the eastern T-jetty. The concurrent operation of both berths indicates that the terminal’s throughput capacity is rapidly returning to normal levels.
By June 4, the VLCC at the west berth had completed loading and left the terminal area, while the Panamax tanker at the east T-jetty remained moored, continuing its crude lifting. This sequence of satellite evidence vividly illustrates Kharg Island’s process from berth restoration to dual-loading operations, demonstrating the Iranian oil sector’s efficient response following the brief disruption.
Sustained Naval Presence in the Strait
Windward’s report also highlighted maritime security developments. It noted that small fast boats of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continued their intense activity throughout the Strait of Hormuz, with high-frequency patrols ongoing. This directly reflects that the IRGC is maintaining a high state of readiness in the area, with its fast boat units poised to provide escort and surveillance support to Iranian-linked merchant vessels and tankers transiting the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for global energy transit, handling roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne crude oil daily, making the IRGC’s posture a factor of significance for maritime security in the region.
Strategic Intent to Restore Export Capacity
Windward offered a clear interpretation of the latest Kharg Island developments: the simultaneous resumption of service at both marine terminals shows that Iran is actively restoring its crude export capacity. Kharg Island handles over 90% of Iran’s oil exports, and its normal operation has a direct bearing on the nation’s petroleum revenue and global supply patterns. The rapid resumption within a month underscores Tehran’s determination to maintain the stability of its energy export channels.