Satellite images reveal several oil tankers engaged in ship-to-ship transfers near Oman's coast, indicating that vessels still traverse the Strait of Hormuz and then discharge their crude onto other ships following recent Iranian strikes.
Imagery from the EU's Copernicus satellite system captured at least four vessels moving oil near Fujairah in the UAE and Sohar in Oman. These locations have become key hubs where vessels traveling to and from the strait offload their crude onto other tankers for final delivery.
The arrival time of these tankers remains unknown, though there is little reason for them to stay long in the area given the unstable political climate and additional insurance expenses.
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The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime artery for global energy markets, with roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passing through its narrow waters. Any disruption to traffic can quickly affect crude prices and supply chains. The recent attacks on UAE-bound tankers have already driven war risk insurance premiums sharply higher and caused some vessels to avoid the area. Yet the high fees paid for successful transits continue to lure a number of shipowners willing to accept the heightened danger.
The ship-to-ship transfers observed off Oman are not new; they have been used for years to obscure the origins of crude oil and to reduce insurance costs. However, the recent surge in tensions has made these operations more critical as a means to keep oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz despite the risks. The ability to quickly offload cargo in safer waters allows tankers to minimize their exposure in the high-risk zone while still moving significant volumes of crude.
Vessels that transit the strait often offload cargo to smaller tankers that then proceed to final destinations.
According to data from Signal Ocean, it is uncertain exactly when the two tankers transited the strait, but if they sailed without stopping, it is probable that their transit occurred late Tuesday night, passing through its central channel.
Questions have intensified about the future of Hormuz transits after Iran struck tankers that were carrying crude out of the UAE earlier this week. These attacks have strained oil shipments through the chokepoint, leading to fewer observable crossings, heightened wariness among vessel owners, and a surge in insurance costs.
On Thursday, the Joint Maritime Information Center, an organization that coordinates between Western naval forces and merchant vessels, stated that commercial shipping in Hormuz persists, albeit at a diminished pace. "Operator caution following recent attacks persisted, and several companies delayed passages," it said. "US-assisted commercial transits continued despite the elevated threat environment." The center also noted that the United States provided assistance to ten ships transiting the strait in the preceding two days.
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