Despite ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, shipping activity across the critical Strait of Hormuz has recently increased, and the US claims that its navy escorted some tankers through this waterway. According to ship tracking data, the Al Areesh, loaded with liquefied natural gas from Qatar, publicly left the Persian Gulf early Thursday, the country's first shipment in three weeks; at the same time, the LPG carrier CYH Yongchun appears to have passed through the strait with the transponder turned off. According to data from market intelligence firm Kpler, a total of 14 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Wednesday, higher than last week's single digits. This data is still subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Despite ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, shipping activity across the critical Strait of Hormuz has recently increased, and the US claims that its navy escorted some tankers through this waterway. According to ship tracking data, the Al Areesh, loaded with liquefied natural gas from Qatar, publicly left the Persian Gulf early Thursday, the country's first shipment in three weeks; at the same time, the LPG carrier CYH Yongchun appears to have passed through the strait with the transponder turned off. According to data from market intelligence firm Kpler, a total of 14 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Wednesday, higher than last week's single digits. This data is still subject to revision as new information becomes available.