At least 150 tankers, including crude and LNG vessels, dropped anchor in open Gulf waters beyond the Strait of Hormuz and dozens more were stationary on the other side of the chokepoint, shipping data showed, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the region into turmoil.
Global oil prices surged on Monday as escalating hostilities in the Middle East rattled energy markets, raising fears of a prolonged supply disruption from one of the world’s most critical oil-producing regions.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East have sent shockwaves through global markets, pushing oil and gold sharply higher and raising questions on near-term outlook for regional equities, said a financial expert. Brent crude surged by 13% to $82 a barrel driven by fears of disruption in Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday, recovering part of the previous session’s losses as renewed supply concerns around the Strait of Hormuz lifted sentiment in global energy markets.
Oil prices rose on Monday as investors weighed renewed geopolitical risk despite US President Donald Trump urging other countries to join efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran said the strategic waterway remained open only to countries that are not directly involved in attacks against it.
US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, an artery for global energy supplies, as Tehran vowed to intensify its response.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world’s largest smelter on one site, has initiated a controlled and safe shutdown of Reduction Lines 1, 2 and 3, which together represent 19% of Alba’s total production capacity, as an operational measure to preserve business continuity following the closure of Strait of Hormuz.
India is pressing Iran to allow more Indian-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran permitted two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to cross the strategic waterway, as New Delhi seeks to ease mounting energy supply risks from the Gulf conflict.
Shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, are sending ripple effects far beyond the Middle East, threatening energy markets, freight costs and global supply chains, a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) study has warned.
Ships must co-ordinate with Iran's navy to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, reported the country's Mehr news agency on Thursday citing the foreign ministry. This comes after its new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's threat to keep this vital passage shut as leverage against the US and Israel.
