Oil Tankers Turn Off Transponders to Exit Strait of Hormuz
Three supertankers carrying crude oil from Iraq and the United Arab Emirates successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz last week by switching off their transponders to avoid detection, according to recent data from energy analytics firms Kpler and LSEG.
One of the vessels, transporting Basrah Medium crude oil, was heading towards Vietnam. This tanker had previously made two unsuccessful attempts to pass through the strait, highlighting the challenges vessels face amid increasing regional tensions.
Another tanker, loaded with Upper Zakum crude from ADNOC, has already discharged its cargo in Fujairah, a port city in the UAE located just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Fujairah recently became the target of an attack attributed to Iranian forces, further complicating maritime security in this critical oil passage.
The third tanker, also carrying Iraqi crude, is currently in transit with an undisclosed destination.
Meanwhile, Kpler’s reports indicate that 42 container ships remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, largely due to the ongoing conflict and security concerns, with nine vessels having successfully exited the area. Notably, two ships have been seized by Iranian authorities during this period.
In a related development, the Malta-flagged Odessa crude oil tanker sailed through the Strait in mid-April and recently arrived at the port of Daesan on South Korea’s west coast, delivering approximately one million barrels of crude oil. This shipment marks the first crude oil cargo to reach South Korea via the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of hostilities in the region.
Reports suggest that some tankers have been permitted passage by Iranian authorities in exchange for payments, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil chokepoints.
However, more than 40 vessels heading to India remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, with nearly half of these ships carrying energy products. India is particularly sensitive to disruptions in Middle Eastern oil and gas exports due to its significant reliance on energy imports from the region.
These developments reflect the growing security risks and logistical challenges in the Strait of Hormuz, where geopolitical tensions continue to impact global energy supply routes.
Energy markets remain watchful as the situation evolves, with traders and governments closely monitoring the flow of oil and gas through this strategic maritime corridor.