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Three VLCCs Resume Hormuz Transit, Crude Prices Drop

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Three VLCCs—Universal Winner, Yuan Gui Yang and Ocean Lily—loaded with two million barrels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after two months stuck.
The delay began in early March when the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran stranded 20,000 seafarers on vessels.
Their departure pushed Brent crude down 1.9% to $109.13 and WTI down 1.8% to $102.31, while the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center warned the environment remains high risk.

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Story summary

Three VLCCs—Universal Winner, Yuan Gui Yang and Ocean Lily—loaded with two million barrels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after two months stuck.
The delay began in early March when the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran stranded 20,000 seafarers on vessels.
Their departure pushed Brent crude down 1.9% to $109.13 and WTI down 1.8% to $102.31, while the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center warned the environment remains high risk.