Tankers Resume Voyages Through Strait of Hormuz to Key Global Ports

(MENAFN) Crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz are increasingly heading toward Asian ports, especially in China and India, with some renewed activity observed at Gulf and Latin American ports, as stated by reports.

Following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, Tehran’s retaliatory measures effectively restricted the waterway for vessels associated with the attacking nations. This move significantly complicated logistics through the strait and brought maritime traffic to a near standstill due to security concerns.

Data shows that between Feb. 1 and 27, just before the attacks, an average of 129 vessels passed through the strait daily. In contrast, from March 1 to 31, daily crossings plummeted to an average of nine, representing a 95% decline, as stated by maritime tracking data.

Since March 15, most ships have been navigating a designated corridor within Iranian territorial waters, allowing Iran to enforce stricter oversight of commercial traffic.

Iran requires vessels seeking passage to submit extensive documentation, including their International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, ownership details, cargo information, destination, and a full crew list, according to industry reports.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also reportedly conducts sanctions checks and cargo compliance inspections, mainly focusing on oil shipments. Additionally, ship operators must complete a so-called geopolitical review, coordinating with approved intermediaries linked to the IRGC before transiting the strait.

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