Strait of Hormuz traffic flows despite vessel attack

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued in both directions on Friday, despite an attack on a container vessel that prompted some shipowners to reconsider transit plans through the key energy waterway.

The attack on the Ever Lovely on Thursday, the first incident since a temporary US-Iran peace deal was signed, led some owners and captains to delay or review plans to exit the Gulf. At least one Asia-based company reportedly told staff that vessels in the Gulf should remain in place while executives reassessed transit options.

However, ship tracking data showed the incident did not halt the gradual recovery of traffic through the strait. Two fully laden tankers were seen heading out of the Gulf on Friday, while four empty very large crude carriers (VLCCs) were among vessels sailing inbound along the coast of Oman. The southern route is managed by Oman and coordinated by the US.

Outbound traffic along the Omani route included an Aframax tanker bound for India and a smaller US-sanctioned tanker. A VLCC loaded with crude from the United Arab Emirates also entered the strait, along with a product tanker carrying cargo from the same exporter. In the opposite direction, an empty VLCC heading for Basrah, Iraq, entered the waterway, together with three other UAE-linked vessels. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier off Khor Fakkan also appeared to be attempting to transit the strait.

Some vessels used the northern route near Iran, which is recognised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including a South Korean-flagged product tanker, another product tanker bound for Indonesia, and a bulk carrier.

Management of Hormuz remains a point of friction between Washington and Tehran. The US says Iran must keep the strait toll-free and refrain from imposing charges on shipping if it wants to reach a permanent peace deal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Arab Gulf states, warned that any toll system could encourage other governments to levy fees at maritime chokepoints, creating chaos. The US has also urged Oman not to establish a joint toll mechanism with Iran. Oman and Iran had previously said they would discuss traffic administration and related fees in the strait, though Rubio later stated that Muscat had assured Washington it did not support tolls.

Meanwhile, empty LNG tankers began queuing off the coast of Qatar as the country prepared to ramp up exports from Ras Laffan, one of the world’s largest LNG production hubs. At least eight empty LNG carriers were seen leaving the Ras Laffan facility, most having transited Hormuz over the past week. Another tanker was heading to the plant, while two more were approaching the eastern entrance of the strait, according to ship tracking data. The build-up suggests Qatar is preparing to increase LNG loadings as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz gradually returns to normal after months of disruption.