Unipec, the trading unit of China’s largest refiner, booked a supertanker to ship Iranian crude this month as the Persian Gulf nation continues to supply its biggest customer before Europe bans its oil exports.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg and reports from 5 shipbrokers including a unit of Clarkson Plc, state owned China International United Petroleum & Chemical Company hired the Takamine, a very large crude carrier to carry 265,000 tonnes from Kharg Island. The provisional booking for loading around February 24th 2012 is subject to change or cancellation.

According to data from the US Energy Department, Iran, the second biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries faces a July 1 oil embargo from the European Union because of its nuclear program. In the H1 of 2011, China was the largest importer of Iranian crude followed by Japan, India, South Korea and Italy.

According to transmissions captured by AISLive on Bloomberg, the Japan flagged Takamine is currently sailing in the Pacific from Tokyo Bay to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The double hulled vessel, built in 2004 is owned by Nippon Yusen KK.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)