Oil Tanker Scrapped in Bangladesh Five Years Ago Signals Transit Through Hormuz Strait

A vessel believed to have been scrapped years ago has resurfaced in global shipping data, raising fresh concerns over covert maritime activity amid tensions in West Asia. The ship, identified as Nabiin, was tracked moving through the Strait of Hormuz despite records indicating it had been dismantled in Bangladesh five years ago.

According to ship-tracking data, the tanker was seen in the Persian Gulf before exiting into the Gulf of Oman, suggesting a successful transit through one of the world’s most sensitive energy corridors. The development comes as the strait remains heavily restricted due to the ongoing regional conflict.

The vessel is suspected to be a “zombie ship”—a term used for ships that assume the identity of scrapped or inactive vessels to conceal their real ownership and operations. This marks the second such case in recent days, following another ship, Jamal, which was reportedly decommissioned earlier but also managed to cross the strait.

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The incidents highlight how shipowners may be bypassing restrictions as access through Hormuz tightens. Reports indicate that only vessels linked to Iran or those with approval from Iran have been allowed passage, while others are resorting to tactics such as disabling geolocation tracking systems.

The situation has escalated amid warnings from Donald Trump, who reportedly issued an ultimatum to reopen the route, while Tehran has threatened a complete shutdown in response to potential military action. The emergence of such “ghost vessels” underscores the growing risks and opacity in global oil shipping as geopolitical tensions intensify.

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