US-sanctioned tankers pass Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade, data shows

April 14 (Reuters) - A Chinese tanker sanctioned by the United States ​passed through the Strait of Hormuz on ‌Tuesday despite a U.S. blockade on the chokepoint, shipping data showed.

The Rich Starry would be the first to ​make it through the strait and to ​exit the Gulf since the blockade began, ⁠data from LSEG, MarineTraffic and Kpler showed.

The tanker ​and its owner Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd ​were sanctioned by the United States for dealing with Iran. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Rich ​Starry is a medium-range tanker that is ​carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol on board, according to ‌the ⁠data. It loaded the cargo at its last port of call, the United Arab Emirates' Hamriyah, the data showed.

The Chinese-owned tanker has Chinese crew ​on board, ​the data ⁠showed.

Another U.S.-sanctioned tanker Murlikishan also headed into the strait on Tuesday, LSEG ​data showed. The empty handysize tanker is ​expected ⁠to load fuel oil at Iraq on April 16, Kpler data showed. The vessel, formerly known ⁠as ​MKA, has transported Russian and ​Iranian oil.