The number of supertankers hauling unsanctioned oil through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of rising in recent days, offering limited relief to an oil market that’s suffered the largest supply disruption in history.

A Chinese-owned supertanker hauling Iraqi crude through the Persian Gulf is set to test the US blockade over the next 24 hours as it attempts to exit the largely shuttered Strait of Hormuz. The transit would coincide with President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.

The oil jetties at Iran’s Kharg Island were once again empty on Tuesday, curbing the nation’s ability to export crude, satellite images collected by Bloomberg show.

Oil shipments from Iran’s main export terminal appear to have come to a standstill over the past several days, according to satellite images, the first sign of a prolonged halt since the start of the war.

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shuttered, with Iran-linked vessels dominating what little traffic is moving across the waterway. An Iraqi supertanker’s rare passage has come to a halt after a retreat from the US naval blockade line.

Only one Russian crude cargo was loaded at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea last week

Only one Russian crude cargo was loaded at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea last week

An oil supertanker that exited the Persian Gulf on Sunday hauling a cargo of Iraqi crude appears to have stopped shy of the US naval blockade line and is now turning back into the Gulf of Oman.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping after the US and Iran clashed overnight near the waterway, attacking each other’s assets in the area.

No region of the world produces more oil and gas than the countries straddling the Persian Gulf. Most of this energy can only be exported aboard tankers that cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that’s effectively been blocked for more than two months.

OPEC’s crude production fell to a new 36-year low last month as the Iran war continued to choke off exports from the Persian Gulf and forced further shut-ins, according to a Bloomberg survey.

No region of the world produces more oil and gas than the countries straddling the Persian Gulf. Most of this energy can only be exported aboard tankers that cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that’s effectively been blocked for more than two months.

Value of shipments hit the highest since the conflict began on higher flows, prices

The Strait of Hormuz remained largely empty, with no new commercial ship crossings recorded despite a US effort to guide vessels through the waterway.

Value of shipments hit the highest since the conflict began on higher flows, prices

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a virtual standstill while US President Donald Trump weighs Tehran’s latest peace proposal.

No region of the world produces more oil and gas than the countries straddling the Persian Gulf, and most of it needs to travel by tanker via the Strait of Hormuz.

A few Iran-linked vessels are making their way through the Strait of Hormuz, as the crucial waterway remains effectively closed to most international shipping amid blockades by both Tehran and the US.

A fully-laden Japan-linked oil tanker completed a rare transit of the Strait of Hormuz, as the effective closure of the waterway to most international traffic enters its third month.

Sooner or later, the US blockade may force Iran to cut oil production.