Iran on Saturday reimposed restrictions on vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Israel attacked targets in Lebanon, undermining expectations of an imminent peace deal touted by US President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard Air Force One on April 17.
Iran broadcast to ships in the Strait of Hormuz that the vital oil and gas channel is once again closed to maritime traffic, with owners reporting gunfire in the waterway and ships abandoning efforts to transit after a brief spell when it appeared it might reopen.
Ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Source: Anadolu/Anadolu
Iran on Saturday reimposed restrictions on vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Israel attacked targets in Lebanon, undermining expectations of an imminent peace deal touted by US President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard Air Force One on April 17.
More crude oil and gas carriers have begun to test the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, even as mixed messages from Iranian authorities leave shipowners fretting over the status of the vital energy chokepoint.
Five Greek and Indian oil tankers were seen making a Hormuz transit attempt on Saturday before u-turning. Another Indian tanker (in yellow) made the journey at around the same time but has since gone dark for some hours.
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.
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