Three supertankers move six million barrels through Hormuz

Wednesday 20 May 2026 - 16:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Three supertankers move six million barrels through Hormuz

Three supertankers have carried around six million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, marking the largest recorded movement of oil cargo since the outbreak of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in February 2026. The shipment was bound for Asian markets and signals a partial revival of maritime flows through one of the world’s most strategic energy corridors.

The vessels involved included two China-linked tankers and one South Korean ship. Maritime tracking data shows that the combined cargo represents one of the most significant daily flows since commercial traffic in the strait was heavily disrupted. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles roughly one fifth of global seaborne crude oil shipments, making any disruption or recovery in activity a key indicator for global energy markets.

The reopening of limited traffic follows months of near paralysis in commercial shipping through the waterway. Iranian naval forces have increased oversight of the passage, requiring vessels to submit detailed ownership, crew, and cargo information before receiving clearance. Reports also indicate that passage fees have been imposed on some ships, and vessels linked to Israel remain barred while United States-related shipping faces strict restrictions.

The latest crossings included vessels carrying Iranian, Iraqi, and other regional crude bound for refineries in East Asia. One shipment loaded in Basra before the escalation of the conflict completed its transit toward eastern China, while another cargo departed from storage networks in early March. South Korean shipping authorities confirmed that one of their tankers also completed passage after being previously delayed near the strait.

Shipping data indicates that traffic has begun to recover from its lowest point, when only a fraction of normal daily vessel movements were recorded. Between mid and late May, crossings increased significantly compared with earlier weeks of the conflict, although volumes remain far below prewar averages of roughly 140 ships per day.

The partial return of flows has coincided with diplomatic signals suggesting potential de-escalation. Market expectations have also shifted as oil prices remain elevated near the 100-dollar-per-barrel level following supply disruptions across the Gulf region, reflecting continued uncertainty over the stability of energy routes through Hormuz.