22 ships linked to Japan leave the Gulf despite renewed fighting

Ship-tracking data showed that more liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, while Tokyo stated that 22 vessels linked to Japan had left the Gulf since Tuesday, despite the resumption of fighting in the Middle East.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil and LNG shipments, has been closely monitored by shipping companies and governments since Iranian attacks on commercial vessels this week and subsequent U.S. strikes on Iran in retaliation led to a decline in navigation through the waterway.

Data from Kpler and the London Metal Exchange showed that at least five empty LNG tankers entered the strait in recent days.

The data indicated that the GasLog Shanghai and the Rayaan likely transited into the strait during the night, after being spotted outside the waterway on July 9.

The other three tankers linked to QatarEnergy were last spotted outside the Strait of Hormuz off the western coast of India several weeks ago. The Samriya and Al Qutara were last seen between June 18 and 19, while the Dafna was spotted on June 29.

QatarEnergy and GasLog did not respond to requests for comment sent outside official working hours.