Two Tankers Near the Strait of Hormuz Suspected of Leaking Oil

According to Jin10, U.K.-based Windward Maritime Analytics said on social media on July 23 that satellite image analysis suggested two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz were suspected of leaking oil, and the resulting slick was drifting toward the coasts of Iran's Larak and Qeshm islands. The eastern tanker involved was the Kavomalias, which was attacked and caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz on July 20. Windward said the tanker was empty at the time, so the leaked substance may have been marine fuel rather than crude oil or other cargo. The western vessel involved was a dark ship with its automatic identification system turned off, so its identity has not yet been confirmed. Windward said satellite imagery showed the ship had remained in the same area since May this year, and suspected signs of oil leakage were observed around it.