Key Takeaways:
A second Japanese very large crude carrier (VLCC) successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz by turning off its location-tracking systems, a high-risk maneuver that highlights the escalating dangers in the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.
"The single most important solution to this problem today is fully and unconditionally opening up of the Strait of Hormuz," Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said in a recent interview. "But, right now, we are far from having this situation, and so, the economic damage is still in the making."
The tanker, named Eneos Endeavor, reappeared on vessel-tracking systems in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday after going silent on Monday in the Persian Gulf, according to ship-tracking data. The vessel, loaded with crude from the UAE and Kuwait, is now awaiting orders for its final destination. The move comes as maritime intelligence firm Windward reports a 600 percent surge in "dark activity," with ships disabling transponders to avoid detection by competing US and Iranian forces.
This silent passage underscores the severe disruption to global energy supplies, which the IEA has called the largest in history. The conflict has already removed more than 14 million barrels per day of oil output from Persian Gulf countries, depleting global inventories at a record pace and forcing nations to re-evaluate energy security over price.
The Eneos Endeavor's "silent run" stands in stark contrast to the first Japanese tanker that braved the strait, the Idemitsu Maru, which completed its passage in late April while openly broadcasting its position. The differing strategies show shipping firms weighing the risks of a US blockade against the threat of retaliatory attacks from Iran, which have numbered more than three dozen since the conflict began.
The Eneos Endeavor is operated by Eneos Holdings, Japan's largest refiner. The company declined to comment on the operational status of its vessels, citing security reasons. Japan is highly dependent on Middle Eastern crude, and the security of passage through the strait is critical to its energy stability.
Vessels navigating the treacherous waterway are caught between a US blockade on Iranian ports and Iran's assertion of an expanded "operational region" extending 200 to 300 miles. US Central Command said Tuesday it had redirected 65 commercial vessels to enforce its blockade, while Iran has implemented a new toll system for ships seeking safe passage through its waters.
This has created an opaque and dangerous environment for shippers. Some vessels have attempted to negotiate passage with Iran, only to be redirected by US forces for violating the American blockade, highlighting the near-impossible situation for commercial shipping. The surge in tankers going dark is a direct response to these competing pressures, as operators gamble that invisibility is their safest option.
The event raises fresh questions about the stability of global oil flows and the potential for further price shocks. With no clear, safe method for transiting the strait, the cost of maritime insurance is likely to climb, and other shipping companies may adopt similar high-risk strategies, introducing more volatility into an already fragile energy market.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
