A handful of oil tankers were racing toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after Iran declared it open, even as industry groups urged caution and several shipowners and traders said they needed more clarity about the status of the waterway before making any decisions.
A Pakistan-flagged tanker that entered the Persian Gulf over the weekend has become the first carrier to exit through the Strait of Hormuz with a crude cargo since a US blockade began on Monday, underscoring just how limited traffic through the vital chokepoint remains.
The Shalamar, shown here entering and exiting the Persian Gulf, is the first crude tanker to leave during a US blockade.
Shipowners and charterers are struggling to agree on who should take on the risk of crossing the Strait of Hormuz, meaning relatively few vessel bookings are occurring.
A partially filled supertanker heading to Japan after receiving its Middle Eastern oil cargo via a ship transfer at sea highlights the desperate measures the nation’s refiners are taking to secure supply quickly.
The Bright Horizon (in white), is now sailing toward Japan after receiving its cargo at sea off Mumbai from Shenlong (blue) this week.
At least two more empty tankers linked to Iran sailed into the Persian Gulf, hours before the US warned it will consider boarding and seizing any sanctioned vessels regardless of location, as it continues its blockade of the Islamic Republic.
Two Iran-linked vessels, G Summer (in white) and Hong Lu (blue), and an Iran-bound bulk carrier Rosalina (red) sailed into the Persian Gulf on Wednesday on an emerging route.
At least two more empty tankers linked to Iran sailed into the Persian Gulf, hours before the US warned it will consider boarding and seizing any sanctioned vessels regardless of location, as it continues its blockade of the Islamic Republic.
Two Iran-linked vessels, G Summer (in white) and Hong Lu (blue), and an Iran-bound bulk carrier Rosalina (red) sailed into the Persian Gulf on Wednesday on an emerging route.
Around 4 million barrels of Iranian oil have arrived in India, marking the first such imports in seven years as the South Asian nation races to secure volumes before a grace period granted by Washington expires at the weekend.
Oil storage tanks at a port in India. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg
Around 4 million barrels of Iranian oil have arrived in India, marking the first such imports in seven years as the South Asian nation races to secure volumes before a grace period granted by Washington expires at the weekend.
Oil storage tanks at a port in India. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg
The US and Iran are working toward extending a ceasefire and restarting negotiations about a longer-term peace deal, even as a standoff intensifies over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11.
The US and Iran are working toward extending a ceasefire and restarting negotiations about a longer-term peace deal, even as a standoff intensifies over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11.
Iraq-bound supertanker Agios Fanourios I has sailed into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on its second attempt, making it the first crude carrier to head west since a US blockade on Iran’s ports came into force.
The Agios Fanourios I (in white) was seen making another attempt to transit through the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. It follows US-sanctioned tankers Rich Starry (blue) and Alicia (red).
Iraq-bound supertanker Agios Fanourios I has sailed into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on its second attempt, making it the first crude carrier to head west since a US blockade on Iran’s ports came into force.
The Agios Fanourios I (in white) was seen making another attempt to transit through the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. It follows US-sanctioned tankers Rich Starry (blue) and Alicia (red).
The US said six merchant vessels complied with instructions from its forces to turn around and re-enter an Iranian port during the first day of its blockade, as traders watched for signs of ships testing the restrictions.
Frustrated by Iran’s unwillingness to give up its stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump is trying to force the issue. The US military announced that it had imposed a full blockage of Iran’s southern coastline, including traffic from there through the Strait of Hormuz, as of April 13.
A satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, on April 9.
Frustrated by Iran’s unwillingness to give up its stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump is trying to force the issue. The US military announced that it had imposed a full blockage of Iran’s southern coastline, including traffic from there through the Strait of Hormuz, as of April 13.
A satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, on April 9.
Three tankers — the first to attempt a transit of the Strait of Hormuz since the US announced a blockade — have successfully cleared the waterway. After sailing near the Iranian coast, the trio have now emerged into open waters.
The New Future (in white) and Auroura (blue) appear to be attempting a transit through the Strait of Hormuz just south of Iran’s Larak island on Monday morning.
Anmelden
