SUPERTANKERS BACK AWAY FROM GULF AS HORMUZ CRISIS DEEPENS Supertankers are diverting from the Persian Gulf as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz escalate, with several vessels rerouting to the Atlantic or Red Sea. More than 60 empty tankers are idling or slowing, creating a massive backlog. The disruption is leaving fewer ships available to load Middle East crude, forcing producers to fill storage. The crunch is driving tanker rates to record highs and pushing traders to seek alternative oil supplies, while some shipowners avoid the region altogether due to rising risks and insurance concerns.