Traffic recovery around Hormuz reversed after US counter-blockade
Traffic recovery around Hormuz reversed after US counter-blockade
in
International Shipping News
16/04/2026
A quick update from AXSMarine on vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz based on the latest AIS-derived data:
After a gradual recovery through late March and early April, crossings have now slowed again following the US Navy’s enforcement of a counter-blockade on 13 April.
Through most of March, confirmed crossings across dry bulk, tanker, and gas segments averaged fewer than 5 per day.
By the final week of the month, that figure had risen to around 10, continuing into early April — notably before any ceasefire was announced, suggesting traffic was already beginning to recover.
The early-April ceasefire added modest momentum, with crossings peaking at 17 on 12 April. However, within 24 hours of the counter-blockade enforcement, daily crossings fell back to single digits.
As of 15 April, 949 merchant vessels are tracked west of Hormuz inside the Gulf, with 307 operating witho
Half-Full Tanker Heading to Japan Highlights Scramble for Oil
FILE PHOTO: A satellite image shows the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Skipper, which British maritime risk management group Vanguard said was believed to have been seized on December 10, as well as another vessel, off Port Jose, Venezuela, November 18, 2025. 2025 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS
Half-Full Tanker Heading to Japan Highlights Scramble for Oil
Bloomberg
Total Views: 1
April 16, 2026
By Weilun Soon, Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada
Apr 16, 2026 (Bloomberg) –A partially filled supertanker heading to Japan after receiving its Middle Eastern oil cargo via a ship transfer at sea highlights the desperate measures the nation’s refiners are taking to secure supply quickly.
The
Bright Horizon
, a very-large crude carrier, is currently sailing south from waters off Mumbai, signaling Japan’s Kiire as its destination, according to ship-tracking data. The tanker received the cargo of Omani oil from a Suezmax called
Shenlong
on Monday through an offshore transfer.
Japan has been in
U.S. Expands Iran Blockade With Global Boarding Powers, Broad ‘Contraband’ Crackdown
The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) on patrol as part of the U.S. blockade on ships underway to and from Iranian ports. Photo shared by US Central Command
U.S.
Six-Week Container Spot Rate Rally Runs Out of Steam
Photo: By EvrenKalinbacak / Shutterstock
Six-Week Container Spot Rate Rally Runs Out of Steam
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 16, 2026
The six-week rally in global container freight rates has come to an end, with the latest reading from the
Drewry
World Container Index (WCI) showing a 3% decline to $2,246 per 40-foot container.
The pullback follows a sharp run-up driven by
rising bunker fuel costs
in the wake of late-February disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict. After weakening through January and early February, rates surged as oil markets reacted to supply shocks linked to instability around the
Strait of Hormuz. That momentum has now reversed.
Across the major east–west trades,
spot rates
softened.
Breaking the Bottleneck: Building a Resilient Future for U.S. LNG and Global Maritime Fueling
Galveston LNG Bunker Port, as shown in this rendering, will be located on the Texas City Ship Channel in the Texas City industrial area. The small-scale LNG production facility will supply LNG by fuel barge to the rapidly expanding fleet of LNG-fueled vessels in the greater Houston-Galveston region.
Breaking the Bottleneck: Building a Resilient Future for U.S. LNG and Global Maritime Fueling
Editorial
Total Views: 0
April 16, 2026
By Lou Sola (Editorial) – Amid escalating geopolitical disruptions at the
Strait of Hormuz
, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, attacks, blockades, and strategic coercion are exposing the fragility of global maritime fuel supply chains.
How the U.S. Could Clear Mines From the Strait of Hormuz
A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
How the U.S. Could Clear Mines From the Strait of Hormuz
Reuters
Total Views: 0
April 16, 2026
April 16 (Reuters) – As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the
Strait of Hormuz
, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive?laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de-mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.
The U.S. is trying to secure the strait from mines as part of efforts to end Iran’s disruption of shipping, which has severely curbed global energy supplies since the U.S.
Hormuz: VLCC inbound transits continue despite overall traffic slowdown
Hormuz: VLCC inbound transits continue despite overall traffic slowdown
in
International Shipping News
17/04/2026
A quick follow-up to yesterday’s note with additional confirmed vessel movements for 15 April.
We recorded 8 confirmed crossings across dry bulk, tanker and gas segments, in line with the post-blockade slowdown highlighted previously. Activity remains below the 8–12 April peak window, but continues at a reduced pace rather than halting entirely.
The most notable development is the continued presence of large crude movements into the Gulf. Three VLCCs (280,000–300,000 dwt) were confirmed inbound on 15 April:
HONG LU (298,920 dwt, Hong Kong-owned)
ALICIA (281,396 dwt, China-owned)
AGIOS FANOURIOS I (299,996 dwt, Greek-owned), bound for Basrah
This represents roughly 880,000 dwt of crude-carrying capacity entering the Gulf in a single day.
U.S. natural gas exports to grow nearly 30% by 2027 as LNG facilities ramp up
natural gas exports to grow nearly 30% by 2027 as LNG facilities ramp up
in
Freight News
17/04/2026
I
n our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we forecast that U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports will continue to increase as five LNG export projects start operations and ramp up production by the end of 2027. We also forecast increased natural gas pipeline exports, mainly to Mexico.
Shaky ceasefire has yet to unwind the war’s grip on dry bulk commodities
Shaky ceasefire has yet to unwind the war’s grip on dry bulk commodities
in
International Shipping News
17/04/2026
I
ron ore markets are poised for stronger exports as Australian and Brazilian shipments recover, though Chinese demand remains weak.
Coal prices softened following a ceasefire but remain supported by tight gas supply and potential European demand. Agricultural markets remain volatile, with Hormuz bottlenecks, US drought risks, and robust South American exports shaping the outlook.
Aluminium prices remain elevated due to Gulf supply damage, contrasting with weaker alumina amid oversupplies. Freight markets show Pacific-led strength in Capesize.
Iron Ore & Steel: Recovery in Australian and Brazilian flows set to lift global iron ore exports
Global seaborne iron ore exports finished at 29.74Mt in the week ending 5 April, down 3% y/y but broadly in line with the five-year average.
MABUX: Bunker Prices Could Keep Deflating Next Week
MABUX: Bunker Prices Could Keep Deflating Next Week
in
International Shipping News
17/04/2026
Since the announcement of the ceasefire in the Middle East on April 8, the global bunker market has entered a phase of temporary stabilization, accompanied by a moderate downward correction. By the end of the week, the 380 HSFO index declined by USD 14.86, falling from USD 771.58/MT to USD 756.72/MT. The VLSFO index dropped by a further USD 25.10, from USD 901.43/MT to USD 876.33/MT, breaking below the USD 900.00 threshold.