Oil Tankers Go Dark Near Hormuz as Iran Risk Keeps Crude Above $100
Roughly 6 million barrels of crude have exited the Strait of Hormuz on three tankers running dark, according to shipping data from Kpler and LSEG. Buyers are navigating a risky Gulf corridor still lingering under Iranian threats, with the Agios Fanourios I and Kiara M—both very large crude carriers—hauling 2 million barrels each of Iraqi crude. The Basrah Energy moved another 2 million barrels of Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum, unloading at Fujairah on May 8. Right now, Hormuz is the flashpoint that’s keeping energy markets on edge after 10 weeks of conflict. Brent crude jumped almost 4% to $105.33 a barrel in early Monday Asia trade, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed past 4% to $99.85. The catalyst: President Donald