Oil tanker traffic jumps in Hormuz after U.S. and Iran open sea lane
At least 20 oil tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Iran began reopening the sea route to commercial ship traffic, according to business intelligence firm Kpler.
The company said that tanker transits on Thursday reached the highest level since June 2. But traffic is still below pre-war levels, with more than 100 ships, including dozens of tankers, passing through Hormuz every day.
A total of 25 ships passed through Hormuz on Thursday, including tankers as well as cargo, containers and other classes of ships, according to Kpler. While traffic increased after the US Navy lifted the blockade of Iran, Tehran allows ships to pass through Hormuz without paying toll for 60 days.
“Traffic was generally balanced, with 13 crossings moving from West to East and 12 crossings moving from East to West,” said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at Kpler.
Three supertankers from Saudi Arabia and one from the United Arab Emirates passed Hormuz on Thursday, according to Kpler. These massive ships, called very large crude oil carriers, or VLCCs, can carry up to 2 million barrels of oil.
Kpler analysts told clients in a note on Friday that Iranian supertankers turned on their transponders after dark during the war. Five Iranian supertankers loaded with oil were observed leaving the region on Friday, analysts said.
“Two-way ship flows indicate that Iranian crude trade is gradually approaching normal operating order,” analysts said. he said.
According to Kpler, the 18 ships that crossed Thursday followed the route determined by Iran to cross Hormuz. Only one ship used the route determined by the International Maritime Organization. Kpler said the routes taken by the six ships could not be verified.
The US-Iran deal has raised questions about how Hormuz will be governed. After the 60-day free transit period ends, Iran will hold talks with Oman and Gulf countries on how to manage the strait, according to the terms of the agreement. This seems to leave open the possibility that tolls could be imposed in the future.
