Three supertankers carrying a combined 6 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude oil finally transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (May 20) after being stranded in the Gulf for more than two months, according to vessel-tracking data from LSEG and Kpler. Another tanker was also reported entering the strategic waterway on the same day.
(News Article by Haifa Chairunisa)
The vessels are among a number of crude carriers that have recently resumed voyages from the Gulf using designated transit routes imposed by Iran. Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has been heavily disrupted since the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28. The narrow passage typically handles around 20% of global oil and energy shipments.
Among the vessels that completed the crossing was the South Korean-operated VLCC Universal Winner, which was loaded with 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude in early March. Data from Kpler indicates the tanker is scheduled to arrive in Ulsan, South Korea, on June 9 to discharge its cargo.
Another tanker, the Chinese-flagged Yuan Gui Yang, also exited the strait after months of delays. Carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude, the vessel is expected to reach Shuidong Port in Guangdong Province on June 4. The tanker departed Iraq just one day before the conflict erupted and had remained unable to proceed through Hormuz for nearly three months.
The Hong Kong-flagged Ocean Lily likewise resumed its voyage after loading a combined 2 million barrels of crude from Qatar and Iraq between late February and early March. The vessel is expected to arrive at Quanzhou Port in China’s Fujian Province on June 5.
Earlier this month, another VLCC, Yuan Hua Hu, successfully left the Gulf carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil bound for eastern China. Meanwhile, LSEG data showed the Cyprus-flagged tanker Grand Lady recently entered the Strait of Hormuz with its tracking signal switched off and is currently anchored off the coast of Dubai.
Despite the gradual return of tanker traffic, maritime risks in the region remain elevated. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz accommodated roughly 125–140 vessel transits per day. Recent data, however, show traffic has fallen sharply, with only around 10 vessels entering or leaving the strait daily.
The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center warned this week that the area continues to pose significant security threats due to recent attacks on commercial shipping. Industry groups have also issued updated navigation guidance, citing risks from drone strikes, sea mines, congestion, and reduced military monitoring. They cautioned that hundreds of vessels are still waiting to pass through the strait, creating the potential for severe navigational challenges if traffic suddenly returns to normal levels.
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