A Suezmax oil tanker named Pola has made a rare transit through the Strait of Hormuz to the United Arab Emirates’ Jebel Dhanna port to load Abu Dhabi Murban crude bound for Thailand, industry sources and vessel‑tracking data show, a notable development amid a severe downturn in regional shipping activity.
The tanker reportedly switched off its AIS tracking system near the Strait on March 2 and reappeared off the UAE coast by March 3, according to the sources. The move comes as most crude tanker traffic in the region has effectively stalled, with shipping disruptions tied to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military conflict with Iran that has heightened geopolitical risk and disrupted navigation through the strategic waterway.
Since the escalation of hostilities late last month, Iran has targeted vessels and energy infrastructure, prompting many shipowners to suspend transits. Shipping through the Strait, a critical chokepoint for about 20 % of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, plunged from an average of about 24 tankers per day to as few as four by March 1, vessel data shows.
The rare transit by Pola underscores both the commercial imperative to move crude and the heightened risk aversion among maritime operators. Insurers have largely withdrawn war‑risk coverage for voyages in the Gulf, and many companies have rerouted cargoes or delayed shipments, further contributing to congestion and supply chain strain.
The disruption to shipping has spurred sharp rises in global energy prices, with Brent crude hitting multi‑month highs as markets factor in the potential for sustained export bottlenecks and supply losses if navigation through the Strait remains constrained.