Oil & Gas Tankers Cross Strait Of Hormuz Via Route Near Omani Coast

Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz via a U.S-protected route along the Oman coast saw increased traffic as many vessels took unexplained U-turns and detours to avoid Iran’s navy.

Six oil and gas carriers crossed the waterway via this route, and many more could have transited the Strait of Hormuz using this lane, since ships are sailing again with their transponders off to avoid detection by the Iranian military.

Two small tankers exited the Persian Gulf by sailing near Iran.

Hormuz remains a dangerous route for vessels as the threat risk remains substantial, and the centre of the strait is filled with naval mines.

The oil market remains volatile as uncertainty looms over the security of navigation in the critical waterway. Even after the signing of the interim peace deal, ships have been targeted and harassed amidst the U.S and Iran shifting blame on each other.

Around 8 ships made a U-turn via the Omani route, and 4 of them sailed northward towards the Iranian route, exiting the Strait.

Other ships are crossing the Hormuz in the dark, broadcasting their position once they cross the waterway.

A Suezmax crude carrier appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after last broadcasting its location from within the Persian Gulf.

No explanation was given by the vessels, which abruptly made U-turns in the narrow energy corridor.

Iran has reiterated that ships should transit the Strait through the route designated by Iran.

The Joint Maritime Intelligence Centre has said that Iranian forces continue to harass shipping in the Strait.

19 ships crossed the strait in either direction on Saturday, but just one signalled its inbound transit along the coast of Oman.

Shipping companies, especially tanker operators, are struggling as the strait closes and then opens again due to U.S-Iranian conflict and as negotiations continue over its control and management.