On March 16, according to ship tracking data, an Aframax oil tanker named "Karachi" successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is currently heading towards Pakistan. This is one of the few oil tankers to successfully leave the Persian Gulf since the US-Israel attacks on Iran.
Data shows that the tanker, controlled by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, completed its passage through the channel near the Iranian coast last Sunday and is currently located in waters near Sohar. Recently, vessels transiting the strait have generally chosen to sail close to the Iranian side to reduce risk.
Due to escalating regional conflict, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately 20% of the world's crude oil, nearly came to a standstill, and countries are closely monitoring whether vessels will resume passage. Meanwhile, some countries have negotiated passage arrangements with Tehran; for example, India has received permission for two LPG tankers to pass through the strait.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed, but "only closed to ships of hostile nations." Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said that Tehran will retain the strategic leverage of "closing the strait."
As the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the risks to shipping across the Taiwan Strait continue to escalate. Trump has called on several countries to send warships to escort merchant ships to restore shipping lanes, but allies such as Japan have not yet indicated their participation. Industry insiders believe that even if the situation eases, a full recovery of shipping across the Strait could take several weeks.
