Two Chinese supertankers have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping tracking data shared by international news agencies earlier today.
Data from LSEG showed that the Very Large Crude Carriers Cospearl Lake and He Rong Hai, both chartered by UNIPEC (China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co., Ltd.), entered and exited a designated Hormuz passage trial anchorage route on April 11.
The vessels avoided waters near Iran’s Larak Island during the transit.
This is an early indication that tanker operators are quietly resuming normal routes through the critical chokepoint responsible for transporting a large share of the world’s oil supplies.
The movements come only days after reports of a ceasefire understanding between Washington and Tehran, which has reduced immediate security concerns but left energy markets closely monitoring maritime traffic for signs of lasting stability.
Tanker activity in the coming days will depend on the outcome of this weekend’s crucial US-Iran talks in Islamabad.