Greek Shipowner Sends Biggest Oil Tanker Yet Through Hormuz
Stock Photo: Anatoly Menzhiliy / Shutterstock
Greek Shipowner Sends Biggest Oil Tanker Yet Through Hormuz
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
April 17, 2026
(Bloomberg) — A Greek shipowner whose vessels have repeatedly braved the
Strait of Hormuz
during the Iran war sent through its biggest oil supertanker since the start of the conflict.
The
Atokos
, a Very Large Crude Carrier with a transport capacity of about 2 million barrels, signaled its location in the Indian Ocean on Friday, data compiled by Bloomberg show. That would suggest it navigated Hormuz, with its digital transponder off, over the past several days.
The ship is managed by Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd., according to industry databases, and its transit means the firm has now moved about 6.5 million barrels through the strait, making it by far the biggest non-Iranian shipper via the waterway. Dynacom didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Transit via the strait, which handled about 20% of the world’s oil and a similar
Weak Demand and External Shocks Weigh on China Credit
Weak Demand and External Shocks Weigh on China Credit
in
World Economy News
17/04/2026
China’s credit outlook remains constrained by weak domestic demand, while the US-Iran war has added external pressure through weaker energy, trade and global demand, Fitch Ratings says. A ceasefire reduces the risk of a more severe disruption, but slower normalisation in oil flows and regional logistics would intensify credit pressure.
China’s main credit challenge remains persistent weak demand. Fitch’s base case is for 2026 real GDP growth of 4.3%, but an adverse scenario based on a sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz through end-2Q26 would lower growth to 3.8%.
Korean oil tanker clears Red Sea in first since Hormuz blockade
Korean oil tanker clears Red Sea in first since Hormuz blockade
in
International Shipping News
17/04/2026
A Korean ship carrying crude oil safely passed through the Red Sea, the country’s first successful use of the bypass route to the effectively blockaded Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday.
The vessel loaded crude oil at Yanbu, a Saudi Arabian port on the Red Sea.
While the Red Sea serves as an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway is also threatened by the Iran-backed Yemen Houthis.
The Ministry has been monitoring the situation in real time to ensure the safety of the vessel. It also provided safety information and operated a live communication channel with the ship.
The news signifies a success for the Korean government’s attempt to stabilize crude supply from the Middle East amid continuing uncertainties stemming from the Iran war, according to the Oceans Ministry.
“We will continue to do our utmost so that crude shipments to Kore
Shipping Industry Pushes Back on ‘Open’ Hormuz Narrative as Risks Persist
A bird flies near the Jag Vasant vessel transferring LPG at a port after transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid supply disruptions linked to the U.S-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Mumbai, India, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
Shipping Industry Pushes Back on ‘Open’ Hormuz Narrative as Risks Persist
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 1
April 17, 2026
The global shipping industry is urging caution after declarations from both Washington and Tehran that the Strait of Hormuz is “open,” warning that conditions on the water remain far from normal.
Today’s messaging that the Strait of Hormuz
originates from Tehran
, which declared the Strait open to commercial shipping explicitly “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon,” and statements made by President Trump. “[The] Strait of Iran is fully open and ready for full passage,” Trump posted to social media in an apparent reference to Hormuz.
However, Iran’s own statement makes clear that vessels are expected to follow a designated “coordinated ro
Europe Moves From Rhetoric to Planning as Paris Summit Weighs Hormuz Security Mission
A CMA CGM containership transits the South Red Sea under escort by a EUNAVFOR warship. Photo courtesy Operation ASPIDES
Europe Moves From Rhetoric to Planning as Paris Summit Weighs Hormuz Security Mission
Paul Morgan
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April 17, 2026
By Paul Morgan (gCaptain) – The prospect of a multinational mission to secure commercial shipping through the
Strait of Hormuz
has moved sharply up the diplomatic agenda after European leaders gathered in Paris today, even as Iran and the United States
declare the waterway “open” following a ceasefire
tied to Lebanon.
Chaired jointly by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, the meeting brought together representatives from around 40 countries in what is now the clearest sign yet that Europe is preparing for a post-conflict maritime stabilisation operation. Leaders or senior representatives from Germany, Italy and a wider coalition from Europe, Asia and the Middle East were expected to participate, with some attending virtually.
For shipping marke
Iran and Trump Declare Hormuz ‘Open,’ But Route and U.S. Blockade Cloud Reality
Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Iran and Trump Declare Hormuz ‘Open,’ But Route and U.S. Blockade Cloud Reality
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 17, 2026
Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping following the ceasefire in Lebanon, but the terms of that reopening—and how it interacts with ongoing U.S.
Fincantieri Lands First U.S. Navy LSM Contract as Program Moves Toward Construction
The Damen Landing Ship Transport 100 (LST100) design will be the basis of the U.S. Navy’s Medium Landing Ship.
Fincantieri Lands First U.S. Navy LSM Contract as Program Moves Toward Construction
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 15, 2026
Fincantieri has secured its first U.S.
U.S. Turns Back Nine Ships as Iran Port Blockade Holds, Tankers Test Limits
Stock Photo: Garry2014 / Shutterstock
U.S. Turns Back Nine Ships as Iran Port Blockade Holds, Tankers Test Limits
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 85
April 15, 2026
The United States says its
maritime blockade
of Iranian ports is continuing to hold, with U.S. Central Command reporting that nine vessels have been turned back in the first 48 hours of enforcement and no ships have successfully entered or exited Iranian ports by sea.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the vessels “complied with direction from U.S.
Maximum Pressure Returns: U.S. Targets Shadow Fleet Tankers as Iran Oil Waiver Expires
Stock Photo: Evgeny Shulin / Shutterstock
Maximum Pressure Returns: U.S. Targets Shadow Fleet Tankers as Iran Oil Waiver Expires
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 15, 2026
The Trump administration has snapped back to full “maximum pressure” on Iran’s oil trade, ending a short-lived sanctions reprieve while unleashing a sweeping crackdown on the shipping networks that keep Iranian crude moving.
In a coordinated escalation, the U.S. Treasury on Wednesday sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, while confirming that temporary waivers allowing Iranian oil sales at sea will expire this week and will not be renewed.
The combined moves mark the clearest signal yet that Washington is shifting from market stabilization back to enforcement.
The Waiver Is Over
On March 20, OFAC took the unusual step of issuing a 30-day general license allowing the sale of Iranian oil already loaded on vessels,
unlocking roughly 140
Europe Eyes Canada LNG as Iran War Rewires Energy Routes
First cargo departs LNG Canada in Kitimat, June 30, 2025. Photo courtesy LNG Canada
Europe Eyes Canada LNG as Iran War Rewires Energy Routes
Reuters
Total Views: 0
April 15, 2026
By Amanda Stephenson
CALGARY, April 15 (Reuters) – European buyers, including Germany’s Uniper, are exploring the possibility of purchasing liquefied natural gas from Canada’s Pacific coast and shipping it through the Panama Canal as part of a long-term strategy to diversify supply, an effort made more urgent in the wake of the Iran war, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Three sources said European buyers are among the potential customers that have had commercial talks with Canada’s Ksi Lisims LNG, a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal whose backers have been working to finalize contracts with purchasers before making an expected final investment decision this year.
The interest in Ksi Lisims from potential European customers — who include state-owned German energy group Uniper, according t