Iran’s Kharg Island export hub has shown fresh signs of activity after nearly a month of inactivity, according to Windward, even as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved between Washington and Tehran.
Kharg Terminal Comes Back Online
According to Windward, satellite imagery collected on August 12 showed the western oil terminal at Kharg Island reactivated for the first time since July 18, ending 25 consecutive days of inactivity. A dark VLCC-class tanker measuring approximately 333 meters was observed berthed and loading. Windward reports that follow-up imagery from August 13 confirmed the vessel remained at berth, and assessed it as the same tanker that had been holding in the waiting area since July 11 before finally coming alongside.
The eastern and LPG terminals at Kharg remained empty for 14 and 17 consecutive days respectively as of the latest pass, Windward said. The report also noted that the waiting area held 16 dark stationary tankers, down slightly from 17, which Windward linked to the arriving vessel having left the queue to berth.
Sanctioned Tonnage Builds at North Larak
Windward’s imagery also documented growth at the North Larak anchorage, which held 35 tanker and cargo hulls on August 12, up from 28 on August 10. Dark vessels accounted for roughly 74% of the cluster, and ten sanctioned vessels were identified, including two newly correlated arrivals, according to the report. Windward stated this pattern indicates the anchorage is actively absorbing additional sanctioned tonnage.
Caspian Corridor Expansion
Separately, Windward’s analysis of Russia-Iran maritime trade through the Caspian Sea found a sustained structural shift following the February 28, 2026 blockade escalation. Comparing the 164 days before and after that date, Windward reported that Russian cargo and tanker visits to Iran’s exclusive economic zone rose 13%, while wet cargo shipments from Russia to Iran increased 2.9 times in number and 2.5 times in volume. Iran-to-Russia flows, by contrast, remained at zero, which Windward described as a one-way supply corridor.
Windward noted that Iran publicly announced on July 21-22 a pivot of more than 30% of its imports through Russia and Caspian routes, a statement the report says aligns with the observed trade anomaly. As of August 8, Windward said Iranian and Russian officials were negotiating a joint roadmap targeting Caspian Sea logistics, including the Rasht-Astara railway project.
Competing Claims Over Hormuz
Windward’s report also noted that President Trump has stated the United States maintains total control of the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade, while Iran maintains it still controls the waterway and plans to introduce a toll system. According to Windward, no resolution framework between the two positions is currently in place.
Does This Matter to You?
For those monitoring tanker positioning, sanctions exposure, and cargo flows in the Gulf region, the developments detailed by Windward point to an Iranian export system that continues to adapt under pressure rather than remain static. The reactivation of a Kharg terminal after 25 days, combined with rising sanctioned tonnage at North Larak, may be relevant to parties tracking vessel activity, counterparty risk, or compliance exposure in waters affected by the ongoing blockade dispute.
The structural growth of the Caspian trade corridor between Russia and Iran, as reported by Windward, could also be of interest to those assessing how sanctioned trade networks are evolving outside the Strait of Hormuz. The source material does not provide further detail on how these shifts might affect freight rates, insurance, or bunkering demand specifically, so any broader operational impact beyond what Windward describes remains unclear.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Windward
