The shuttle vessels transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz have become targets of Iranian attacks, raising alarms in the global oil supply chain.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on July 14, Iran attacked three supertankers operating in the Strait of Hormuz early that morning. Two of these vessels were identified as part of a shuttle fleet that repeatedly travels between Gulf ports and those outside the strait.
The WSJ noted that the attack has undermined trust in shuttle operations, which were previously considered relatively safe compared to long-distance voyages.
Shuttle vessels load oil from Gulf-producing countries, pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and then unload at ports outside the strait, such as Fujairah in the UAE or Sohar in Oman. From there, tankers from around the world transport the oil to refineries in countries like China and South Korea.
Since Iran restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, only a few shipowners have been willing to risk entering the strait, making shuttle vessels crucial for oil transportation. Their shorter routes reduce turnaround times and maximize the volume of oil exported outside the strait.
According to S&P Global Energy, approximately 3.5 million barrels of oil have been transported outside the Strait of Hormuz daily this month through shuttle operations and ship-to-ship transfers. This accounts for about one-third of the daily oil volume exported through the strait.
Shuttle operations, which began on a minimal scale in April, have gradually expanded into a large-scale transportation system, helping to mitigate shocks in the energy market. Many vessels have been escorted by the U.S. Navy, and U.S. fighter jets have responded to threats from fast boats.
However, concerns are growing that safety cannot be guaranteed even with U.S. protection. Industry sources reported that anxiety among crew members has significantly increased following the death of an Indian sailor.
Among the attacked vessels, the 'Mombasa B' was contracted by the UAE's state-owned oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and had completed four shuttle operations. The deceased Indian sailor was also aboard this vessel.
The 'Mombasa B' is part of a tanker fleet operated by Sinokor, the English name of the South Korean shipping company, Jangkum Shipping. Last year, Jangkum Shipping acquired dozens of tankers with funding from MSC, a global shipping giant, and has since collaborated with ADNOC for operations in the Gulf region.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that executives from Jangkum Shipping and MSC are concerned that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard may continue to target related vessels to disrupt shuttle operations. Reports suggest that at least two captains have recently refused to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Particularly, the use of cruise missiles, which are faster and more destructive than drones, has heightened the risks associated with operations. Cruise missiles provide crew members with relatively little time to respond.
There are also concerns that the scope of Iran's attacks is expanding beyond the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The 'Stolt Magnesium,' one of the attacked vessels, was struck about 500 kilometers from the strait in the waters off Oman while carrying Omani chemical products to Malaysia without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Richard Matthews, head of research at ship brokerage E.A. Gibson, stated, "Both regular strait transits and shuttle operations are now under threat, which is a very serious issue for both the oil and shipping markets."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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