At least eight oil and gas tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, following Iran’s announcement of a temporary reopening of this crucial maritime route amid a ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East conflict. According to maritime tracking data, the vessels included one crude oil tanker, four liquefied petroleum gas carriers, two oil and chemical tankers, and one classified as an “oil products” ship. This movement occurred after Iran declared the passage open on Friday afternoon, ending a near-total halt in traffic that had persisted since hostilities erupted on February 28.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital oil chokepoints, with approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passing through during peacetime. The conflict, which was ignited by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, had brought shipping to a standstill, trapping hundreds of vessels in the Gulf and driving up both oil prices and freight costs. While several crude oil tankers were observed approaching the strait, some turned back near Iran’s Larak Island, a key checkpoint under Tehran’s blockade.
Iran’s central military command later reversed the reopening decision, stating it would resume “strict management” of the strait in response to a US naval counter-blockade. Among the ships that passed through on Saturday were at least three that are under US sanctions. Some vessels broadcast destinations linked to India or China, indicating a stance of neutrality. Additionally, MarineTraffic recorded the passage of the cruise ship Celestyal Discovery, which is believed to be operating without passengers, marking the first such transit since the conflict began.
The shipping industry responded cautiously to the reopening. Jakob Larsen, chief security officer of BIMCO, warned that the status of mine threats in the area remained unclear and advised companies to consider avoiding the region. This brief reopening underscores the fragile nature of maritime security in the Gulf, where ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt global energy supplies and trade flows.
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