Some 60 ships passed through Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, US official says
USO•About 60 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, carrying about 22 million barrels of oil, a US official said. The official said about 40 vessels coordinated with the US military for protection; the figures could not be independently verified.
1. Vessel traffic and oil flows
About 60 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, carrying the highest daily volume of crude oil since early July, a US official said. About 40 vessels coordinated with the US military for protection, and about 22 million barrels of oil exited the chokepoint. The figures could not be independently verified.
2. Conflict and negotiations
The strait has become central to efforts to end the nearly seven-month US-Iran conflict. Before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, it typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day and carried about 20% of the world’s daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply. Negotiators in New York are reportedly exploring a phased path out of the war that would involve Iran reopening the strait and Washington lifting its economic blockade.
