中东冲突最新动态
阅读不同市场的最新相关动态
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Singapore, 18 April (Argus) — At least 21 vessels that attempted to leave the Mideast Gulf following a brief reopening of the strait of Hormuz were forced to turn back, vessel tracking data show, after Tehran reimposed transit restrictions in response to the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Tracking data indicate that at least 15 of the vessels were tankers across all size classes. Most of the ships had been trapped in the region since the US-Iran war began on 28 February. They appear to have moved after a short-lived opening was signalled on Friday, when Iranian foreign minister Seyed Araghchi announced that the strait would be open. US president Donald Trump said shortly afterwards that the waterway was completely open. But Iran has since reversed course , saying Hormuz would not remain open while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place and that transit had returned to strict military control. The rapid change in the status of Hormuz transits has raised questions about US president Donald Trump's comment on Friday that Washington was "very close" to a full deal with Tehran. By Sean Lui Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Shipowners wary after Hormuz reopening pledge: Update
Shipowners wary after Hormuz reopening pledge: Update
Adds Bimco comment in final paragraph London, 17 April (Argus) — Iran's announcement that the strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels is unlikely to trigger an immediate pickup in tanker traffic through the waterway, as shipowners remain wary of security risks and the terms of passage remain unclear, market sources told Argus . Iran said on Friday that the strait would be open for commercial shipping for the duration of the US-Iran ceasefire, following a halt to fighting in Lebanon. But the limited timeframe and lack of detail are likely to deter shipowners from resuming transits straightaway, participants said. Owners would probably still have to "co-ordinate with Iran and adhere to their rules, unless of course the conditions are specified and more clarity appears, in which case more ships would consider the transit", one market participant said. Questions also remain around routing and tolls. Iran said passage would be permitted on the "co-ordinated route as already announced", which is likely to refer to the channel between the islands of Qeshm and Larak. This could imply that Iran will continue charging transit tolls. Transits through the strait have continued despite the US naval blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, which President Donald Trump has said will remain in place until peace talks with Iran are concluded. But the blockade is focused on the mouth of the Gulf of Oman rather than the strait itself, raising concerns that vessels exiting the waterway could still be intercepted further downstream, participants said. At least 10 vessels crossed the strait of Hormuz with their AIS transponders active in the past 24 hours, most of them westbound into the Mideast Gulf. Of those crossings, three were eastbound. These included the Shalamar , a Pakistani-flagged Aframax tanker that loaded at Das Island on 12 April and is heading to Karachi, according to Kpler data. The announcement about reopening the strait may be aimed primarily at allowing vessels already in the Gulf to exit, easing vessel availability constraints, rather than encouraging ships to enter for new business, according to one market participant. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is assessing Iran's announcement for compliance with freedom of navigation and use of the IMO-recognised traffic separation scheme. Shipping association Bimco, meanwhile, said the announcement does little to change the risk outlook for vessels. Trump's claim that the strait is "fully open" is inaccurate, as the status of mine threats within the traffic separation scheme remains unclear, Jakob Larsen, Bimco's chief safety and security officer, said. The scheme has not been declared safe for transit, and shipping companies should "consider avoiding the area", he added. By Rhys van Dinther Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Strait of Hormuz 'completely open': Update 2
Strait of Hormuz 'completely open': Update 2
Adds new statements by Trump and other details London, 17 April (Argus) — The strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" to commercial vessels for the duration of the US-Iran ceasefire, Iran and the US said on Friday. Iranian foreign minister Seyed Araghchi announced the opening of the strait in a post at 8:45 am ET. US president Donald Trump moments later said the strait was "COMPLETELY OPEN" and ready for passage. A naval blockade the US military began enforcing against vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports earlier this week would remain in full effect until "OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE", Trump wrote. Ice Brent crude futures fell sharply on the news. The front-month contract was trading at $86.26/bl as of 10:49am ET, down by more than 13pc. Commercial vessels transiting the strait of Hormuz will use a "coordinated route" already announced by Iran, Araghchi said on Friday. The US had previously accused Iran of placing mines in at least some parts of the strait. Trump said that those mines were being removed, with US support. "Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!" Trump said. Trump subsequently said on Friday that Iranian officials had agreed to "never" again close the strait of Hormuz, through which about 20pc of global oil flows. "It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!" Trump wrote. France was among the Nato members that previously said they were willing to help stabilize the strait of Hormuz once hostilities had de-escalated. Trump said he received a call from Nato on Friday offering assistance, but he said he told them to "STAY AWAY", adding that Nato was "useless when needed". Under the terms of a "deal" Trump described on Friday, the US would "get all Nuclear 'Dust'" remaining in Iran, in an apparent reference to enriched uranium sites that were targeted by a US bombing campaign. Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz has been heavily restricted since the war with Iran began on 28 February, even after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that is set to expire on 22 April. The potential reopening of the strait would allow an estimated 120 loaded tankers to depart from the Mideast Gulf and calm markets, IEA executive director Fatih Birol said earlier this week. Just minutes before Trump's post, US Central Command, which oversees Middle East-based US forces, said it had directed a merchant vessel to return to an Iranian port as part of its enforcement of the blockade. US Central Command said that, so far, 19 ships have complied with directions to return to Iran and zero had evaded the blockade. In his announcement of the reopening Friday, Araghchi cited the ceasefire in Lebanon in saying "the passage for all commercial vessels through the strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the co-ordinated route as already announced". Trump wrote that the re-opening of the strait was not tied "in any way" to Lebanon. By Chris Knight and Andrey Telegin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU downplays IEA warning on jet fuel shortage risk
EU downplays IEA warning on jet fuel shortage risk
Brussels, 17 April (Argus) — The European Commission has sought to downplay warnings about a looming jet fuel shortage in Europe, but has not ruled out taking action if supply from the Mideast Gulf remains disrupted. EU officials are "obviously" aware that jet fuel markets are tight, but "there is no indication of systemic fuel shortages that would lead to widespread flight cancellations", European Commission energy spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said today. EU refineries cover around 70pc of the bloc's jet fuel demand, with the remainder met by imports, according to the commission. Itkonen was responding to a warning from the IEA that jet fuel stocks in Europe may fall low enough to cause physical shortages at some airports by June unless the region can secure more than 50pc of its lost Middle East volumes. IEA executive director Fatih Birol reiterated that message on 16 April, telling the Associated Press that Europe has "maybe six weeks or so of jet fuel left" if the strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Despite the EU's more sanguine tone, Itkonen said the commission is still preparing for "possible" supply shortages, and will launch "co-ordinated" action if necessary such as releasing oil stocks. A draft plan leaked earlier this week suggests the commission is due to outline measures to address rising energy prices and energy security on 22 April, focusing on jet fuel and diesel availability, refinery capacity and gas storage filling. There may be some near-term relief. Since Itkonen's comments, Iran's foreign minister has announced that the strait of Hormuz will be open to commercial vessels for the duration of the US-Iran ceasefire . By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
