(Bloomberg) — Three supertankers linked to China have changed course in the Strait of Hormuz as shipping risks remain high. The chances for normal traffic seem to have decreased after President Donald Trump took a strong stance against Iran.
On Tuesday, the Sea V, carrying Iraqi crude oil, was on its way to Hormuz from the Persian Gulf but turned back. It is now waiting near the entrance to the strait, according to ship-tracking data. Meanwhile, the Hestia entered the gulf along the Omani coast early Wednesday, then changed direction and left. The Erecter, bound for Iraq, also made a U-turn. The reasons for these sudden course changes are unclear.
These large crude carriers are registered in Hong Kong and had Chinese crew members on board. On Tuesday, a fuel tanker named Amara, linked to the UAE, also made several U-turns in the strait and remains close to Iran as of Wednesday.
Overall traffic in the narrow waterway has slowed significantly as the threat of Iranian attacks persists. On Tuesday, the UK Navy reported that a ship was hit by an unknown projectile while leaving the gulf near the Omani coast, adding to recent incidents involving attacks on vessels.
The shipping risks will likely continue as Trump stated there are no ongoing talks with Tehran, leaving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East unresolved. Iran’s chief negotiator with the US mentioned that Hormuz will not reopen until Washington agrees to several measures, such as lifting its naval blockade, removing oil sanctions, and halting military operations.
Despite the threats, some ships are still traveling through Hormuz in both directions. The Sweden Prosperity, a Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC), crossed into the gulf with its transponders turned off but reappeared early Wednesday, indicating it is heading to a Dubai anchorage.
Another Liberia-flagged VLCC, the Singapore Prosperity, was seen fully loaded off Fujairah early Wednesday after last appearing near Saudi Arabia in the gulf, suggesting it crossed Hormuz overnight without signaling its location.