Weilun Soon

A Japanese supertanker has emerged in the Gulf of Oman after last signaling that it was inside the Persian Gulf, indicating a rare, undercover transit through the Strait of Hormuz by a vessel from the Asian country.

Two India-bound vessels laden with cooking fuel from the Persian Gulf appear to have transited the Strait of Hormuz, making them the latest to exit despite continued restrictions from the US and Iran.

The number of supertankers hauling unsanctioned oil through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of rising in recent days, offering limited relief to an oil market that’s suffered the largest supply disruption in history.

Iran seized a Chinese-owned ship that’s one of a handful of so-called floating armories that operate in the region, according to two maritime security consultants who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information.

A Vietnam-bound supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, which idled for days in the Gulf of Oman after it was halted by US forces, has resumed its journey.

Some 23 tankers have been spotted around Iran’s principal oil-export hub, the largest cluster to have gathered at the island since the US Navy began a blockade on the country’s ports a month ago, interdicting and seizing ships.

A South Korean-flagged supertanker appears to be attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which, if successful, would be the first crossing of such a vessel from the East Asian nation.

Singapore’s return to the top says a lot about what investors want right now.

GMS, a major buyer of ships and offshore vessels for recycling, says it has received the first US permit to purchase carriers sanctioned over Iran.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has been quietly ferrying oil and gas shipments out of the Persian Gulf using its own fleet, apparently circumventing both the Iranian navy and US warships to reach energy-starved customers.