Tanker Traffic Returns to Open Seas in Strait of Hormuz

For months, the Strait of Hormuz became a corridor of ghosts. Shipowners routinely disabled AIS transponders to evade potential attacks, turning the vital chokepoint into a blind spot for global supply analysts. This practice, historically reserved for sanction-evading Iranian vessels, had become the industry standard for any operator attempting to move energy cargoes through the Persian Gulf.

While Bloomberg data confirms seven vessels, including non-Iranian supertankers and fuel carriers, are now visible, the recovery remains uneven. Maritime intelligence firm Windward recorded 25 AIS-enabled transits on June 22, yet market participation is far from normalized. The Indian Oil Corporation recently failed to secure three tankers for regional routes, as operators weigh the diplomatic progress against the persistent risk of volatile navigation conditions and unclear mine-clearing status.