Tanker fleet pushed into new routes as Hormuz crisis reshapes trade

The tanker fleet is facing one of its biggest disruptions in years as the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz changes the way ships trade. Many owners are reluctant to send VLCCs through Hormuz, while some ballast tonnage is being held in the Arabian Gulf as owners wait for the situation to develop, Splash 247 reports.

The disruption is also making voyages longer. Crude trades have become more long-haul, while the normal trading patterns in the Arabian Gulf have been disrupted. This means tankers spend more days at sea and the available fleet becomes less efficient.

The pressure is spreading across tanker sizes. Suezmax and Aframax ships are also seeing very strong markets, while LR1 and LR2 product tankers are also benefiting from tighter vessel availability.

At the same time, the tanker fleet is growing rapidly. The crude tanker orderbook reached a record 130m dwt in July, with deliveries scheduled through 2030. Owners had already ordered 151 VLCCs during the first half of 2026 alone.

For seafarers, the current tanker boom is therefore not only about higher earnings. It is changing where ships trade, how long voyages last and how carefully crews and operators must plan voyages through the region.

 

Picture: Magnific