Oil and LNG Tankers Exit Hormuz, Heading for Pakistan and China

West Asia News Agency

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran.

Ship-tracking data indicates that three liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers have recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, bound for Pakistan, China and India, alongside a supertanker carrying Iraqi crude oil to China after being stranded for nearly three months.

The developments come amid disruption to maritime traffic following the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran that began on 28 February, which has significantly reduced shipping activity through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies normally pass, has seen heightened instability in recent months.

The vessels are part of a limited number of tankers currently exiting the Gulf using a transit route reportedly directed by Iran. Last week, three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) transported around six million barrels of crude oil to China and South Korea.

According to ship-tracking data from LSEG and Kpler, the LNG tanker Fuwairit crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and is expected to discharge its cargo in Pakistan on Tuesday. The vessel, sailing under the Bahamian flag, loaded LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan port around 28 March.

Another LNG tanker, Al Rayyan, has also passed through the waterway. After loading at Ras Laffan, it was last recorded in the Gulf on 22 May and is now located outside the Strait between Iran and Oman. It is expected to deliver its cargo to China on 27 June.

A tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Al Hamra, also transited the Strait. It was last seen on 19 April east of the waterway and reappeared in tracking data on 23 May off the coast of India.

Separately, the VLCC Eagle Verona, which exited the Strait on Saturday, is expected to arrive at Ningbo port in eastern China on 12 June to discharge its cargo.

Source: Reuters



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