Tankers turn away from Persian Gulf as security risks mount

October 15 ------ An increasing number of empty supertankers are turning away from the Persian Gulf amid escalating Iranian attacks, raising concerns over the security of a key maritime hub for oil transfers and the continued movement of crude through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, at least 10 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), along with several Suezmax tankers, have stopped or reversed course in recent days while approaching Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

Although some vessels continue to sail into the region, the growing number of tankers changing course comes amid near-daily attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, including incidents close to Fujairah itself.

The trend is drawing attention to the role of Fujairah as a waypoint for tankers heading towards the Gulf of Oman, where vessels can load cargoes through ship-to-ship transfers, or continue into the Persian Gulf. As a result, the number of ships approaching the port provides a broader indication of tanker operators’ willingness to enter waters increasingly affected by security threats.

Meanwhile, data from Kpler show that in the Strait of Hormuz, crossings fell by 29.6% week on week, declining to 143 from 203. Laden transits dropped from 103 to 69, while ballast movements decreased from 72 to 44. As a result, laden vessels accounted for 61.1% of classified crossings, up from 58.9% in the previous week.

The figures remain preliminary, as additional crossings initially classified as “dark” movements may be identified retrospectively and incorporated as further confirmation data become available.

Nevertheless, the decline in transits, alongside reports of tankers reversing course, points to mounting pressure on commercial shipping through one of the world’s most strategically important oil corridors.

Source: safety4sea.com