I just saw something quite interesting in Lloyd's List Intelligence data. Since the United States announced it would intercept ships carrying Iranian oil in international waters, at least five oil tankers linked to Iran have had to change course. It’s a move that shows how military pressure can completely alter trade routes.

Let’s take the case of the Kariz, an Iranian-flagged Suezmax carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil. It was headed to Malaysia and Singapore, but last Friday it turned around near Sri Lankan waters. This is no coincidence, obviously. The Andromeda is another example: this sanctioned supertanker was carrying nearly 2 million barrels and also changed its course in the Indian Ocean as it was heading toward Southeast Asia.

What catches my attention is that it’s not just the large carriers. On Friday, we also saw how the empty tankers Amak and Elisabet turned around in the Gulf of Oman just as they approached the Strait of Hormuz and detected movements by the U.S. Navy. Both vessels are under sanctions from the United States and the European Union, so their options are limited.

This situation reflects a reality: Malaysia and other Southeast Asian ports are critical destinations for Iranian oil, but reaching them is becoming increasingly difficult. Shipowners are being forced to rethink their routes and incur additional costs. It’s the kind of geopolitical pressure that directly impacts energy markets and commodities.