Jakarta, ThedailyID — A supertanker owned by National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) crossed the Lombok Strait on Sunday (May 3, 2026), after evading a United States naval blockade during its voyage.
The vessel, identified as “HUGE” (9357183), carries more than 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, with an estimated value of around $220 million, or roughly Rp3.81 trillion.
According to TankerTrackers, the tanker managed to bypass US monitoring and reach eastern waters after a long journey. The group previously tracked the vessel near Sri Lanka before it entered Indonesian territory.
Current tracking data shows the tanker is moving through the Lombok Strait, while its final destination is believed to be near the Riau Islands.
Meanwhile, technical reports show the tanker turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) for a prolonged period during its voyage. The ship stopped transmitting signals on March 20, 2026, after leaving the Strait of Malacca and heading toward Iran.
This prolonged AIS shutdown raises concerns, as vessels often disable tracking systems to avoid detection under international sanctions and monitoring systems.
The tanker’s presence in Indonesian waters has drawn attention, especially after it bypassed US surveillance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and maritime restrictions.
As of now, authorities and monitoring groups continue to track the vessel as it moves across Indonesian waters toward its next destination.
