A small number of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a modest increase in shipping activity through one of the world's most important energy chokepoints after nearly three months of disruption caused by the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Shipping data showed that two LNG tankers carrying cargoes from Qatar were moving through the strait on Monday, while a supertanker loaded with Iraqi crude oil had already left the Gulf and was headed toward China, according to Reuters. The movements come as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue in parallel with negotiations over reopening the waterway.
