Current Affairs

Chinese and Korean VLCCs Clear Hormuz as Iran Claims to Increase Traffic

Iran's IRGC Navy claims to have increased tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, permitting Chinese VLCCs and South Korea's first tanker to transit on May 20. The Universal Winner (300,000 dwt) carried two million barrels bound for Ulsan, while Chinese vessels Yuan Gui Yang (319,700 dwt) and Ocean Lily (299,170 dwt) transported crude from Iraq and Kuwait. Reuters data shows only six VLCCs transited this month versus 28 million barrels in April, with CENTCOM reporting 90 vessels redirected.