THE number of liquefied natural gas carriers transiting the Strait of Hormuz declined sharply last week as Iran repeatedly warned against using unapproved shipping routes, dashing hopes for a swift recovery in Middle East Gulf energy flows, wrote reporter Peter Guo and senior risk and compliance analyst Bridget Diakun.

Just two LNG tankers passed through the waterway from Monday to Thursday, significantly down from the peak of 13 transits recorded in the same period the previous week, according to vessel tracking data of Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Vortexa.

The Liberia-flagged 72,950 dwt gas tanker Umm Al Ashtan (IMO: 9074652) left the MEG laden last Monday using the Oman-backed southern route after loading cargoes near the LNG terminal of Das Island, the data shows.

Key container lines have pulled most ships from Middle East Gulf

Major container lines have succeeded in removing most of their ships from the MEG following the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, although more than 20 ships operated by the world’s largest carriers remain in the region, wrote markets editor Rob Willmington.

According to Alphaliner, 80 containerships with a combined capacity of some 170,000 teu are still in the gulf, including 24 vessels operated by the leading global carriers.

That compares with 138 vessels totalling 470,000 teu that were recorded in the MEG during the early stages of the conflict on March 2.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen-controlled vehicle carrier exits Strait of Hormuz after 120-day ordeal

A pure car and truck carrier controlled by the world’s largest vehicle shipping operator, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, has successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz after spending 120 days stranded inside the MEG following the outbreak of regional hostilities, reported Rob Willmington.

The 6,515 ceu Morning Concert (IMO: 9312822), operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s South Korean subsidiary EUKOR, transited the strait on the evening of June 30.

Automatic Identification System data indicates the 2006-built vessel likely made the passage with its transponder switched off.

MEG crude exports hang in the balance despite June recovery amid ceasefire uncertainty

The outlook for crude oil exports from the Middle East Gulf hangs in the balance despite a slight recovery in June, as the US-Iran conflict continues to limit traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, wrote senior reporter Matthew Rajendra.

Departures from the gulf were 66% higher in June compared to a month earlier, with total exports reaching 7.12m barrels per day, according to data from Vortexa.

Barrels from Saudi Arabia remained scarce, with the choke on the strait preventing liftings from its east coast. Just 2.9% of MEG exports were from Saudi Arabia in June. Exports were virtually absent in April and May.

MSC boosts record orderbook with more LNG-fuelled boxships at Hengli HI

Mediterranean Shipping Co is expanding its already significant backlog of containership newbuildings following a new order for ultra large dual-fuel containerships at China’s Hengli Heavy Industry, reinforcing its long-term commitment to fleet renewal and growth, wrote Rob Willmington.

Lloyd’s List understands that the Geneva-based carrier has signed firm contracts for 10 liquefied natural gas-fuelled ships of 20,000 teu. Delivery of the 10 ships is expected in 2029, while the newbuilding contract does not include any optional vessels.   

They expand MSC’s order pipeline at Hengli to 40 ships, comprising 10 24,000 teu vessels and 30 ships in the 20,000-21,000 teu range.

Hormuz crisis resuscitates scrubber premium; newbuild scrubber fittings on the rise

Shipowners began installing exhaust gas scrubbers more than six years ago to comply with the IMO2020 regulation — and they’re still adding more, according to data from Clarksons Research, wrote senior maritime reporter Greg Miller.

Ships with scrubbers can burn cheaper high-sulphur fuel oil; ships without them mostly use very low sulphur fuel oil. The higher the premium of VLSFO to HSFO, the greater the savings for scrubber-equipped tonnage.

The lesson learnt in the years since IMO2020: shipping disruptions have big effects on the VLSFO-HSFO spread.