Full Breakdown
Three Supertankers Exit Strait of Hormuz After Two-Month Delay, Carrying 6 Million Barrels of Crude
5/20/2026, 11:26:01 PM
Event Summary
On 20 May 2024 three VLCCs—Universal Winner (South Korean-flagged), Yuan Gui Yang (Chinese-flagged) and Ocean Lily (Hong Kong-flagged)—exited the Strait of Hormuz after two months in the Persian Gulf, transporting 6 million barrels of crude to Asian markets.
Vessel Details & Schedule
Universal Winner, loaded with 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude on 4 Mar, will discharge at SK Energy’s Ulsan refinery on 9 Jun. Yuan Gui Yang, carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude from 27 Feb, is bound for Shuidong Port, Guangdong, on 4 Jun. Ocean Lily, with 1 million barrels each of Qatari al-Shaheen and Iraqi Basrah crude, will arrive at Quanzhou, Fujian, on 5 Jun. A fourth ship, the Cypriot-flagged Grand Lady, entered the strait with its AIS off, per LSEG.
Conflict Context & Traffic Impact
The U.S.–Israeli war on Iran, which began 28 Feb 2024, cut daily strait passages from 125-140 to about ten. Reuters reports 20,000 seafarers remain aboard stranded vessels. 54 ships crossed 11-17 May, up from 25 the prior week. Brent fell 1.9 % to $109.13 / bbl and WTI 1.8 % to $102.31 / bbl on 20 May, indicating optimism.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center warned that “the operating environment remains high risk based upon recent attacks on ships in the area” and cited “multiple instances of aggressive hailing and assertive action by Iranian units” in the last 48 hours. White House briefings hint at diplomatic progress, though no formal agreement is confirmed.
Criticism & Opposition
Shipping industry groups warned that “hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz … could represent a considerable navigational hazard.” They advise caution for any surge in traffic.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reuters cites roughly ten daily transits, while Lloyd’s List data quoted by regional media reports 54 ships in a week, showing divergent estimates. Grand Lady’s AIS-off status appears only in LSEG data, and no official de-escalation agreement has been confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
1. “The operating environment remains high risk based upon recent attacks on ships in the area,” — U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center
2. “Multiple instances of aggressive hailing and assertive action by Iranian units have been ?noted in the last 48 hours.” — U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center
3. “Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more normal navigation conditions, the movement of all those vessels within the Strait could represent a considerable navigational hazard,” — Shipping industry associations
Outlook
White House briefings suggest talks could broaden Hormuz reopening. Industry groups urge vessels to await security guarantees. Analysts expect oil prices to stay volatile until navigation stabilizes.
