Saudi supertankers reappear outside Hormuz as traffic resumes after US-Iran deal

Three Saudi oil supertankers have reappeared outside the Strait of Hormuz after last being spotted in the Gulf two months ago, as commercial vessel movements through the key energy chokepoint draw renewed attention following the US-Iran agreement. The vessels—identified as Awtad, Jaham, and Shaden—had not been transmitting signals since then. According to data analytics company Kpler, the tanker Awtad, loaded with 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil, passed through the strait and exited the Gulf, heading to South Korea. Two other Saudi tankers, Shaden and Jaham, are believed to be carrying Saudi crude and have passed through with their signals switched off.

Iranian tanker movement

The tanker Viraj, carrying approximately 27,500 barrels of contaminated petroleum products from Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini port, also passed through the strait and is heading toward the United Arab Emirates. The movements come after the US and Iran reached an agreement, which includes a 60-day negotiation period toward a final deal. Under the 14-point agreement, Iran will make “all possible efforts and arrangements” to ensure commercial vessels can pass between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman safely and free of charge for 60 days.

Traffic recovery

Commercial ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been sharply disrupted since Feb. 28, when the war began. Before the conflict, an average of around 130 ships passed through the strait daily; that figure fell by more than 90%. Around 1,000 commercial vessels passed through in the 100 days of war, averaging about 10 vessels per day.