Two Chinese supertankers U-turn in Hormuz as risks remain high
The threat to shipping persists after the UK Navy reported a vessel was hit by an unknown projectile along Oman's coast.
Two Chinese-linked supertankers have turned around in the Strait of Hormuz as shipping risks remain high, according to ship-tracking data. The Sea V, carrying crude from Iraq, was en route from the Persian Gulf to Hormuz when it changed course and is now idling in the middle of the strait. The Hestia also turned around early Wednesday while transiting the Gulf along the Omani coast.
It is unclear why the vessels suddenly altered their paths. Both supertankers are flagged to Hong Kong and had Chinese crew members on board. On Tuesday, a United Arab Emirates fuel tanker, the Amara, made several U-turns in the strait and remains there as of Wednesday. The narrowing traffic flow in the narrow waterway comes amid threats of attacks from Iran, with the UK Navy reporting a vessel being struck by an unknown projectile while exiting the gulf.
US President Donald Trump has refused to engage in talks with Iran, further complicating the situation. Iran's lead negotiator with the US stated that the Hormuz Strait will not reopen until Washington agrees to various conditions, including lifting Iran's naval blockade, removing oil sanctions, and ending military operations. Despite the ongoing threats, some ships continue to attempt to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Erecter, another Hong Kong-flagged VLCC, is currently crossing the strait into the Gulf and broadcasting a Chinese crew.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Two Chinese Supertankers U-Turn in Hormuz as Risks Remain High bloomberg.com
- Two Chinese supertankers U-turn in Hormuz as risks remain high freemalaysiatoday.com
