Strait of Hormuz Shipping Update: LNG Tankers Resume Transit Amid Regional Conflict

Recent ship-tracking data indicates a marginal resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. Several liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers and a supertanker have successfully navigated the waterway in recent days, marking a notable movement of energy supplies to markets in Asia and the Middle East following months of severe disruptions.

Energy Transit Resumes for Key Asian Markets

The passage of these vessels follows a period of significant volatility in the region. Since the onset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28, 2026, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—which typically handles approximately 20% of global oil and LNG supplies—has been heavily curtailed.

Among the vessels recently tracked in the region are:

• Fuwairit: The Bahamas-flagged LNG tanker, owned by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, crossed the strait on Monday. It is scheduled to discharge its cargo in Pakistan.
• Al Rayyan: This QatarEnergy-owned tanker was observed exiting the strait and is currently positioned to deliver its cargo to China by late June.
• Al Hamra: Managed by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), this vessel was tracked off the coast of India on May 23 after having been absent from data for several weeks.
• Eagle Verona: This Singaporean-flagged supertanker, chartered by Unipec, exited the strait on Saturday and is expected to reach the port of Ningbo, China, in mid-June.

The Impact of Ongoing Regional Tensions

The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the current conflict. Before hostilities began in late February, the waterway typically saw between 125 and 140 daily vessel passages. The current environment has forced a significant reduction in this volume, leaving approximately 20,000 seafarers stranded on hundreds of ships throughout the Gulf.

While some vessels are now navigating the strait using a transit route mandated by Iranian authorities, the situation remains fluid. Major energy companies and shipping operators have largely declined to comment on specific routing decisions, citing security concerns and company policies as the region navigates the ongoing geopolitical crisis.

Key Takeaways

• Critical Chokepoint: The Strait of Hormuz is essential for global energy security, accounting for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG supply.
• Shipping Shifts: While some tankers are successfully transiting to markets in China, India and Pakistan, the volume of traffic remains well below historical averages.
• Humanitarian Concerns: The disruption has left thousands of seafarers in limbo, underscoring the broader logistical and human toll of the current regional conflict.

As the conflict continues, global energy markets remain highly sensitive to any further developments regarding the accessibility of the strait. Future stability in this maritime corridor will depend heavily on the evolution of the broader regional security landscape.