DUBAI: Two Chinese-linked supertankers have U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz as risks to shipping remain elevated, with prospects for a normalisation of traffic dimming after president Donald Trump took a hard line on Iran.
The Sea V, laden with crude from Iraq, was travelling toward Hormuz from the Persian Gulf on Tuesday when it turned around, and is now idling in the middle of the strait, according to ship-tracking data. The Hestia transited into the gulf along the Omani coast early Wednesday before changing direction and sailing out. It’s unclear why the vessels suddenly changed course.
The very large crude carriers are flagged to Hong Kong and were broadcasting that they had Chinese crew on board. On Tuesday, a fuel tanker called Amara linked to the United Arab Emirates made several U-turns in the strait and remains in the waterway near Iran as of Wednesday.
Visible traffic through the narrow waterway has slowed to a trickle as the threat of attacks from Iran remains high. On Tuesday, the UK Navy reported a vessel had been struck by an unknown projectile as it was exiting the gulf along the Omani coast, adding to a string of recent attacks on ships.
The risks to shipping are set to continue after Trump insisted that there were no ongoing talks with Tehran, leaving the simmering conflict in the Middle East in limbo. Iran’s lead negotiator with the US also said Hormuz won’t reopen until Washington agrees to a list of measures, including lifting its naval blockade, removing oil sanctions and ending military operations.
Despite the threats, ships still appear to be attempting to transit Hormuz. The Erecter, another Hong Kong-flagged VLCC, is crossing the strait into the gulf and broadcasting a Chinese crew. The ship was last booked to pick up a cargo from Iraq, according to fixtures seen by Bloomberg News.
