First Tankers Begin Leaving Hormuz After Months Of War Disruption
Synopsis
Tankers carrying LNG to Pakistan and Iraqi crude to China have resumed movement through the Strait of Hormuz after months of disruption linked to the Iran conflict.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz is showing early signs of recovery, with oil and LNG tankers slowly resuming transit after months of disruption caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. A liquefied natural gas carrier bound for Pakistan crossed the strategic waterway on Monday, while a supertanker carrying Iraqi crude for China exited the Gulf over the weekend after being stranded for nearly three months, according to shipping data from LSEG and Kpler.
Key highlights
- LNG tanker carrying Qatari gas headed to Pakistan via Hormuz
- Iraqi crude tanker bound for China exited Gulf after months stranded
- Iran-approved shipping corridor now being used by select vessels
- Around 20% of global oil and LNG supply normally passes through Hormuz
- Thousands of seafarers remain stranded across the Gulf
- Shipping traffic remains far below pre-war levels
LNG Cargo Heads To Pakistan
The LNG tanker Fuwairit was seen moving through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and is expected to unload cargo in Pakistan on Tuesday.
The Bahamas-flagged vessel:
- Loaded LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal around March 28
- Is owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
- Is among the first LNG vessels to successfully navigate the route in recent weeks
The transit signals cautious progress in restoring Gulf energy exports after months of instability.
Chinese Oil Cargo Finally Leaves Gulf
Separately, the VLCC Eagle Verona exited Hormuz on Saturday carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude destined for China.
The tanker:
- Was chartered by Sinopec trading arm Unipec
- Is expected to reach Ningbo port on June 12
- Had loaded crude around February 26 before becoming stranded during the conflict
The Singapore-flagged vessel is owned by Malaysian shipping group MISC.
Iran-Controlled Transit Route Now In Use
The vessels are among only a handful of supertankers that have exited the Gulf this month using a transit corridor authorised by Iran.
Last week:
- Three VLCCs transported roughly 6 million barrels of crude
- Cargoes were shipped to China and South Korea
The limited reopening reflects continued security risks despite tentative diplomatic progress.
Global Energy Trade Still Under Pressure
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
Before the conflict:
- Around 125 to 140 vessels crossed daily
- Nearly 20% of global oil and LNG supply flowed through the route
Shipping activity has since collapsed following the outbreak of war on February 28.
Industry data also shows:
- Roughly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard ships inside the Gulf
- Energy supply chains continue facing delays and elevated insurance costs
Why It Matters
Any sustained reopening of Hormuz could ease pressure on global oil and LNG markets, which have experienced severe volatility during the conflict.
However, shipping volumes remain far below normal levels, and traders continue monitoring whether diplomatic talks between the US and Iran can produce a lasting de-escalation.
FAQs
Q1: Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supply.
Q2: Which countries were receiving the cargoes?
The LNG shipment was headed to Pakistan, while the Iraqi crude cargo was destined for China.
Q3: Why were vessels stranded?
Shipping through Hormuz was heavily disrupted after the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began in February 2026.
Q4: Has shipping fully resumed?
No. Only limited tanker movements have resumed through specific Iran-approved transit routes.
Q5: How has the conflict affected global energy markets?
The disruption has driven oil price volatility, shipping delays, insurance costs and concerns over global energy security.
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