Japan-owned supertankers head to Strait of Hormuz with Saudi oil, data shows

• Two tankers owned by Nippon Yusen and Kawasaki Kisen, each carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude loaded on March 1, are joining the exodus
• Six very large crude carriers with 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude, mostly managed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, exited on Monday along with other vessels
• The vessels had been stranded in the Gulf for approximately four months, with cargoes loaded between late February and early March

Japan-Owned Supertankers Resume Operations Through Strait of Hormuz

Summary

Two additional Japanese-owned supertankers carrying Saudi Arabian crude oil began transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, July 7, following the departure of multiple previously stranded vessels a day earlier.

Key Details:

The latest two vessels are owned and managed by Nippon Yusen KK and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, each loaded with 2 million barrels of Saudi crude on March 1. Combined with Monday's departures, this brings the total volume of crude oil aboard Japan-linked vessels exiting the strait to 16 million barrels this week.

On Monday, six very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude, along with two chemical tankers, a vehicle carrier, and a container ship, successfully exited the strait. These vessels transported oil from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, loaded between late February and early March. Most are managed by Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).

Market Implications:

The movement of these vessels signals an easing of what appears to have been a significant disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. The resumption of transit reduces the volume of stranded oil in the Gulf region, potentially alleviating supply concerns.

However, oil prices showed limited gains despite these developments, as traders shifted focus toward broader supply increases and demand prospects beyond immediate geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The companies involved did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the situation.