LNG tankers continue entering Strait of Hormuz while some Japan-linked vessels exit Gulf

At least five ballast LNG tankers entered the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, ship-tracking data showed, even after Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and subsequent U.S. retaliatory strikes reduced traffic through the key energy route. The vessels include GasLog Shanghai, operated by Greek shipping company GasLog, and the QatarEnergy-linked carriers Al Samriya, Al Dafna, Al Gattara and Al Rayyan.

GasLog Shanghai and Al Rayyan likely crossed into the strait overnight after being observed outside the waterway on July 9. Al Samriya and Al Gattara were last seen off India's west coast around June 18-19, while Al Dafna was tracked there on June 29. On July 9 the VLCC Nissos Kea entered the strait and the VLCC Lila Vadinar exited.

Twenty-two Japan-linked vessels, including six large crude oil tankers, transited the strait to leave the Gulf between July 7 and July 9, Japan transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a news conference on July 10. Only four Japan-linked vessels remained in the Gulf as of that date.

The number of Japan-linked vessels operating in the Gulf has fallen from 45 vessels with about 1,100 crew members at the start of the conflict to four vessels with about 100 crew members, according to a spokesperson for the Japanese Shipowners’ Association.

A transport ministry official declined to comment on how vessel safety had been ensured, citing security concerns. QatarEnergy and GasLog did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. Xavier Tang, senior market analyst at Vortexa, said Iran is striking vessels using the Omani route rather than targeting all vessels, which means vessels will increasingly turn toward the Iranian route or transit dark when passing through the strait.