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Hormuz traffic ticks up as supertankers exit despite blockade and tracking blackouts

Economy
Published on 14 May 2026
Hormuz traffic ticks up as supertankers exit despite blockade and tracking blackouts

Iran lets Chinese ships pass while satellite tracking goes dark

Super-tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is showing tentative life, with four large crude carriers exiting since May 10, near the pace of about two million barrels a day. Traders say the blockage has already removed roughly a billion barrels from global supply, even as non-Iran flows rise slightly. Iran has allowed Chinese ships to pass, mirroring an uptick in gas carrier crossings, while some vessels switch off satellite signals, complicating tracking and future expectations.

  • Four supertankers carrying mostly Iraqi crude have exited since May 10
  • That exit pace is close to two million barrels per day
  • Hormuz blockade cut about one billion barrels from global supply
  • Some ships transit with satellite transponders off, reducing visibility
  • Iran approved Chinese ship passage after discussions with China’s foreign ministry
  • Levels remain so low analysts doubt meaningful market impact
Read the full story at The Economic Times

This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on The Economic TimesThe Economic Times

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