Oil Tankers Use Southern Route Near Oman After Iran Claims Strait of Hormuz Closure

Three laden oil supertankers with a combined capacity of 6 million barrels emitted signals while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday via a route hugging Oman’s coast, according to ship-tracking data. One of the three resumed sending automated signals early on Sunday after reaching the Gulf of Oman.

The Gulf Sunrise, carrying about 2 million barrels of Saudi crude bound for Japan, crossed the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after vanishing from screens near the apex of the strait on Saturday.

The Angola B, loaded with Emirati crude, was last seen rounding the tip of the Musandam peninsula on Saturday. The Monaco Loyalty disappeared near the apex of the strait on Saturday before reaching it. US Central Command stated on Saturday that 17 million barrels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

A liaison between navies and shipping said early Saturday that vessels could transit on the Omani side at any time of day while making their locations visible. The Joint Military Information Center issued a notice early Saturday morning stating mariners may transit the southern route day or night with AIS on, radars radiating, running lights on, and normal VHF use.

Pakistan issued an alert late Friday confirming a mine spotted along the southern route.

The Desh Vibhor, Desh Vaibhav, and Sanmar Herald were observed in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea on Sunday after last signaling near the Strait of Hormuz late Friday. The three vessels together carry about 6 million barrels of Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil and signaled near Iran’s Qeshm island.

Shipping Corporation of India is listed as the owner and manager of Desh Vibhor and Desh Vaibhav on database Equasis.