Fewer vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, following an attack on a Taiwanese-operated ship by Iran. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reported that the container ship EVER LOVELY sustained minor damage but continued its voyage with all crew members safe. In response to the attack, the U.N. shipping agency temporarily halted its evacuation scheme for stranded ships in the Gulf.
Despite the incident, four tankers, including three very large crude carriers, entered the Gulf to load oil. Additionally, two supertankers loaded Iranian oil while another tanker exited the strait with 2 million barrels. Oil buyers are eager to secure supplies following disruptions from the Iran conflict, especially after a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Tehran. Crude prices fell over 3% on Friday amid easing supply concerns, with Saudi Arabia resuming loadings in the Gulf.
Jakob Larsen from BIMCO emphasized the need for clear agreements between the U.S. and Iran to ensure safe maritime traffic. Iran’s deputy foreign minister stated that safe passage through the strait requires coordination with Tehran. Overall tanker traffic on Friday was significantly lower than earlier in the week, highlighting ongoing uncertainties in the region.
