{"id":441220,"date":"2026-04-24T09:50:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T16:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=441220"},"modified":"2026-04-24T09:50:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T16:50:42","slug":"tanker-helga-arrives-at-iraqs-basra-terminal-to-load-2-million-barrels-of-crude-second-since-hormuz-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=441220","title":{"rendered":"Tanker HELGA Arrives at Iraq\u2019s Basra Terminal to Load 2 Million Barrels of Crude \u2013 Second Since Hormuz Closure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
AI generated by Grok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Comoros-flagged oil tanker HELGA<\/strong> (a very large crude carrier, or VLCC) arrived at one of Iraq\u2019s southern offshore oil loading terminals near Basra on Friday (April 24, 2026). It is preparing to load approximately 2 million barrels<\/strong> of Iraqi crude oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This marks only the second<\/strong> such tanker to reach Basra\u2019s southern offshore terminals since the Strait of Hormuz <\/strong>was closed amid the ongoing Iran-related conflict (often referred to in reports as the \u201cIran war\u201d). The first was the Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios 1<\/strong>, which anchored earlier this month and also loaded roughly 2 million barrels of Basra crude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow chokepoint through which about 20% of globally traded oil normally passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran has closed or severely restricted the strait at times during the conflict, including responses to U.S. blockades of Iranian ports and related military actions. Shipping traffic has plummeted \u2014 Reuters noted only five ships passed through in the past 24 hours (versus a normal daily average of ~140).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These arrivals at Basra show limited resumption of Iraqi oil export activity via offshore terminals, even as tensions and risks (mines, attacks on shipping, etc.) persist in the Gulf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iraq\u2019s Basra region is a major crude export hub, and these loadings are significant for global oil supply amid the disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drone images from Reuters show the HELGA moored at the terminal. Shipping data (including recent AIS) aligns with the reports of its arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fits into the broader 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis, where geopolitical tensions between Iran, the U.S., and allies have repeatedly disrupted maritime traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While two tankers have now loaded, the overall flow remains heavily constrained.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Comoros-flagged oil tanker HELGA (a very large crude carrier, or VLCC) arrived at one of Iraq\u2019s southern offshore oil loading terminals near Basra on Friday (April 24, 2026). It is preparing to load approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":441221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691842509,691842513,691842510,691842512,691841779,691842511],"class_list":{"0":"post-441220","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-agios-fanourios-1","9":"tag-arrival-confirmed","10":"tag-helga","11":"tag-shipping-tracking-data-ais","12":"tag-strait-of-hormuz","13":"tag-two-tankers","15":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Tanker-HELGA-Arrives-at-Iraqs-Basra-Terminal-to-Load-2-Million-Barrels-of-Crude-%E2%80%93-Second-Since-Hormuz-Closure.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1QMs","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":431438,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=431438","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":0},"title":"‘Most Powerful Raid in Middle East History’: US Hammers Kharg Island Military Assets, Holds Oil in Reserve","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"15\/03\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Kharg Island (also spelled Khargh or Khark) is a small island in the Persian Gulf, approximately 25 km off Iran's southern coast, and it serves as Iran's primary oil export hub.Recent developments (as of mid-March 2026) indicate that U.S. forces conducted large-scale precision strikes on the island on Friday, March\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Kharg Island\"","block_context":{"text":"Kharg Island","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=kharg-island"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Most-Powerful-Raid-in-Middle-East-History-US-Hammers-Kharg-Island-Military-Assets-Holds-Oil-in-Reserve1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Most-Powerful-Raid-in-Middle-East-History-US-Hammers-Kharg-Island-Military-Assets-Holds-Oil-in-Reserve1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Most-Powerful-Raid-in-Middle-East-History-US-Hammers-Kharg-Island-Military-Assets-Holds-Oil-in-Reserve1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Most-Powerful-Raid-in-Middle-East-History-US-Hammers-Kharg-Island-Military-Assets-Holds-Oil-in-Reserve1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Most-Powerful-Raid-in-Middle-East-History-US-Hammers-Kharg-Island-Military-Assets-Holds-Oil-in-Reserve1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":430190,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=430190","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":1},"title":"Strait of Hormuz Siege: How a Prolonged Middle East War Could Cripple Global Energy Supplies","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/03\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important waterways, often called the planet's premier oil chokepoint due to its role in global energy supplies. This makes it a critical vulnerability for global energy security disruptions here can spike prices worldwide and affect economies far beyond the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Domestic Energy Procution\"","block_context":{"text":"Domestic Energy Procution","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=domestic-energy-procution"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Strait-of-Hormuz-Siege.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Strait-of-Hormuz-Siege.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Strait-of-Hormuz-Siege.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Strait-of-Hormuz-Siege.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Strait-of-Hormuz-Siege.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":438539,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=438539","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":2},"title":"Trump\u2019s Hormuz Ultimatum to Iran: Stop the Tolls or Else \u2013 Japan Releases More Oil","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/04\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Trump posted on Truth Social: \u201cThere are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait \u2014 They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!\u201d He also accused Iran of doing a \u201cvery poor job, dishonorable some would say,\u201d of allowing oil\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Gulf energy production\"","block_context":{"text":"Gulf energy production","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=gulf-energy-production"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Trumps-Hormuz-Ultimatum-to-Iran-Stop-the-Tolls-or-Else-%E2%80%93-Japan-Releases-More-Oil.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Trumps-Hormuz-Ultimatum-to-Iran-Stop-the-Tolls-or-Else-%E2%80%93-Japan-Releases-More-Oil.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Trumps-Hormuz-Ultimatum-to-Iran-Stop-the-Tolls-or-Else-%E2%80%93-Japan-Releases-More-Oil.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Trumps-Hormuz-Ultimatum-to-Iran-Stop-the-Tolls-or-Else-%E2%80%93-Japan-Releases-More-Oil.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":436282,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=436282","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":3},"title":"Crude Oil and LNG Face Worst-Possible Scenario as Hormuz Crisis Deepens: Russell","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/04\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Russell notes that markets have avoided the absolute catastrophe so far, but the current situation is dangerous enough: limited spare capacity elsewhere cannot quickly replace lost Gulf volumes, especially for certain crude grades and LNG.","rel":"","context":"In \"crude oil and natural gas\"","block_context":{"text":"crude oil and natural gas","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=crude-oil-and-natural-gas"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Crude-Oil-and-LNG-Face-Worst-Possible-Scenario-as-Hormuz-Crisis-Deepens-Russell1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Crude-Oil-and-LNG-Face-Worst-Possible-Scenario-as-Hormuz-Crisis-Deepens-Russell1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Crude-Oil-and-LNG-Face-Worst-Possible-Scenario-as-Hormuz-Crisis-Deepens-Russell1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Crude-Oil-and-LNG-Face-Worst-Possible-Scenario-as-Hormuz-Crisis-Deepens-Russell1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Crude-Oil-and-LNG-Face-Worst-Possible-Scenario-as-Hormuz-Crisis-Deepens-Russell1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":433251,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=433251","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":4},"title":"Trump Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions to Counter Iran War Price Surge","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"22\/03\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In early March 2026, amid an ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (severely limiting Middle Eastern oil flows and driving Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel, near highs not seen since 2022), the U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary 30-day waiver. This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"China\"","block_context":{"text":"China","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=china"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Trump-Temporarily-Eases-Russian-Oil-Sanctions-to-Counter-Iran-War-Price-Surge.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Trump-Temporarily-Eases-Russian-Oil-Sanctions-to-Counter-Iran-War-Price-Surge.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Trump-Temporarily-Eases-Russian-Oil-Sanctions-to-Counter-Iran-War-Price-Surge.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Trump-Temporarily-Eases-Russian-Oil-Sanctions-to-Counter-Iran-War-Price-Surge.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":430283,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=430283","url_meta":{"origin":441220,"position":5},"title":"Iran Nearly Crippled Global Energy, But Trump Found A New Weapon","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/03\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As energy markets reel from the U.S.\u2019 war with Iran, the Trump administration is racing against time to insulate Americans from any more pain at the pump.","rel":"","context":"In \"crude oil\"","block_context":{"text":"crude oil","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=crude-oil"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Iran-Nearly-Crippled-Global-Energy-But-Trump-Found-A-New-Weapon.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Iran-Nearly-Crippled-Global-Energy-But-Trump-Found-A-New-Weapon.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Iran-Nearly-Crippled-Global-Energy-But-Trump-Found-A-New-Weapon.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Iran-Nearly-Crippled-Global-Energy-But-Trump-Found-A-New-Weapon.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=441220"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441220\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":441231,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441220\/revisions\/441231"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/441221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=441220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=441220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=441220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}