Supertankers Carrying Six Million Barrels Exit Strait of Hormuz

Three supertankers carrying about six million barrels of crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday on their way to Asian markets after waiting in the Gulf for more than two months, according to data from LSEG and Kpler.

Traffic through the strategic waterway has been severely restricted since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran on 28 February. Under normal circumstances, about one-fifth of the world’s oil and energy supplies passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessels included the South Korean-flagged Universal Winner, carrying two million barrels of Kuwaiti crude, and Chinese tankers bound for ports in China. Another tanker entered the strait with its transponder switched off.

Shipping in the area remains high-risk, experts say. Shipping organizations have warned of the threat of attacks, drones, mines and unpredictable congestion along transit routes. The US Navy also reported aggressive behavior by Iranian forces in the area over the previous 48 hours.

(reuters, bak)