At least eight vessels U-turned over the weekend as Iran enforced its transit route, disrupting oil flows and lifting freight costs.
At least eight ships, including oil tankers and bulk carriers, reversed course in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend after Iran asserted control over the transit route. The vessels initially attempted to use the US-protected Omani corridor but diverted to Iran’s designated path, according to ship-tracking data.
Shipping volumes through the strait remain below pre-war levels, with operators increasingly turning off transponders to avoid detection. This uncertainty has kept freight rates and war-risk insurance premiums elevated, complicating efforts to normalize oil flows.
Traffic along the Omani route showed partial recovery Sunday, with six oil and gas freighters observed navigating near Oman’s coast. Traders are monitoring daily crossing counts to gauge the pace of normalization amid persistent disruptions.