Over the past week, two oil tankers have exited the Strait of Hormuz, while a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier loaded cargo in the UAE, signaling rare activity as traffic through the strategic chokepoint remains limited. The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, continues to severely restrict oil and LNG flows, despite some tankers managing to leave the Gulf in recent weeks.
The Aframax tanker Cy Victorious, carrying over 508,000 barrels of high-sulphur fuel oil, departed the strait on May 30 after loading in Iraq. It is expected to reach Malaysia in June. Another Long-Range 2 tanker, Sti Elysees, left the strait on May 29, having loaded clean products from Kuwait, though its destination remains unclear.
Additionally, the Marigold LNG tanker, managed by ADNOC, loaded cargo at Das Island on May 24-25. This vessel, along with others, turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) during its transit, a common practice for ships navigating the strait. Meanwhile, four ballast LNG tankers are positioned near the eastern entrance of the strait, reflecting fluctuating hopes for a potential reopening and broader peace negotiations.
