Tankers Begin Clearing Strait of Hormuz After Prolonged Delays Amid Elevated Security Risks

Mintesinot Nigussie

Oil shipments are gradually resuming through the Strait of Hormuz. Three very large crude carriers crossed the waterway on Wednesday after being stalled for more than two months, carrying around 6 million barrels of crude.

A fourth supertanker was also observed entering the strait, with around 10 vessels transiting in the past 24 hours. The movement comes after prolonged disruption caused by the regional conflict.

Notable vessels include the Universal Winner carrying Kuwaiti crude and several Chinese-linked tankers heading to ports in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. However, maritime security bodies continue to warn of elevated risks including attacks, drones, and mines.

The U.S. Navy-led center described the operating environment as “high risk” with recent aggressive actions by Iranian units reported.

Shipping associations have issued updated guidance for vessels, citing congested traffic and accumulated delays as additional hazards.

The gradual resumption of tanker traffic is a positive sign, but full normalization of flows through the critical chokepoint remains uncertain.