Full Breakdown
Gulf Oil and LNG Tankers Resume Transits Through Hormuz Amid Ongoing Conflict
5/26/2026, 12:27:43 AM
Resumption of Oil and LNG Transits Through Hormuz
In late May 2026, LNG carriers Fuwairit (to Pakistan) and Al Rayyan (to China), ADNOC’s Al Hamra (to India), and the VLCC Eagle Verona (carrying Iraqi crude to China) successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such movements in months.
Background and Key Players
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began 28 Feb 2026, prompting Iran to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally moves about 20 % of global oil and LNG. Key actors are Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its logistics arm, QatarEnergy, Iraq’s Basrah crude exporters, and Unipec (Sinopec’s charterer). ADNOC’s shipping partner Navig8 and joint-venture partner Wanhua Chemical support the dark-transit approach.
Timeline of Recent Movements
28 Feb: war begins, Hormuz closes.
30 Mar: ADNOC’s Mubaraz appears near India after a dark transit.
22 May: Al Rayyan stops AIS near Ras Laffan.
23-25 May: Fuwairit, Al Rayyan, Eagle Verona and Al Hamra exit Hormuz toward Pakistan, China and India.
Data, Statistics, and On-the-Ground Observations
Tracking firms have logged seven LNG shipments since the war, far below usual 125-140 daily passages. About 20 000 seafarers remain stranded. Eagle Verona carries roughly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude. Satellite images show tankers docking at ADNOC’s Das Island while AIS is off, confirming “dark” transits whose exact routes—Iran-approved northern corridor or near Oman—are unverified.
Why It Matters for Global Energy Markets
Hormuz moves about one-fifth of world oil and LNG; any flow directly affects China, India and Pakistan. India’s LNG imports from Qatar and the UAE have plunged, forcing costly spot purchases and tightening regional markets.
Official Statements and Responses
US officials say a US-Iran deal is near and could reopen Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the United States would not rush into a deal and described the tentative agreement as largely negotiated. ADNOC Logistics & Services declined comment on vessel routes, referring queries to its logistics arm.
Criticism and Opposition
Analysts warn transits raise safety concerns and may breach Iran’s toll regime. Matt Wright of Kpler noted ADNOC’s willingness to “take more risks” to move oil, while insurers flag lack of AIS signals.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Bloomberg cites seven LNG shipments, while Oilprice reports at least 19 tankers carrying crude and LPG, showing uncertainty. The exact transit route—Iran-approved northern corridor or a path near Oman—and any toll payments remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With the UAE leaving OPEC and finding ways to send ships through Hormuz in the dark, Adnoc has been willing to take more risks in order to get their oil out,” — Matt Wright, senior freight analyst, Kpler
- “largely negotiated” — President Donald Trump
- “Reuters also cited ADNOC Chief Executive Sultan Al Jaber as saying full oil flows through the region may not return before 2027.” — Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, ADNOC
- “If the tanker has crossed, it would be a hopeful sign for the gas market, but only a very early one.” — Alex Froley, senior LNG analyst, ICIS
What’s Next
US-Iran negotiations continue; a deal could lift the de facto blockade. ADNOC expects oil flows to stay limited until at least 2027, while markets watch for further dark-transit attempts and any official reopening of Hormuz.
