Reuters: Shipowners reluctant to send tankers through Strait of Hormuz

The number of commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz has fallen by a third this week as shipowners remain reluctant to send tankers through the strategic waterway despite progress in negotiations between Iran and Oman, Reuters reports, citing data from analytics firm Kpler.

The data indicated that 33 commercial ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Thursday, down from 50 during the same period last week.

The decline comes despite reported progress in talks between Iran and Oman on navigation through the strait.

Reuters sources said several Chinese and Indian companies attempted this week to secure insurance for vessels transporting Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz, encouraged by higher discounts.

However, shipowners declined to provide tankers, citing concerns over the safety of their vessels.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov