Two Chinese Supertankers Leave the Strait of Hormuz After Months Stranded

The exit of two Chinese supertankers carrying about 4 million barrels of Middle East crude oil marks a small but significant moment in the disruption of global energy shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints.

After being stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than two months, the vessels finally transited the strait on May 20, according to ship‑tracking data from LSEG and Kpler cited in multiple reports . Their departure suggests that limited tanker traffic is beginning to move again—but under tight controls and far below normal levels.

Why the Chinese Tankers Were Stranded

The two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) had been waiting in the Gulf since early March 2026, shortly after the outbreak of the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran that began in late February .

The conflict severely disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned shipping about transiting the waterway and effectively restricted movement through the corridor, while security risks—including military operations and attacks on vessels—made navigation extremely dangerous . As a result, many tankers carrying Gulf crude were forced to remain at anchor in the region for weeks or months.

One of the ships, the Chinese‑flagged VLCC Yuan Gui Yang, had loaded 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude on February 27, just one day before the conflict escalated, and was among the vessels unable to leave the Gulf once tensions surged .

A Rare Passage During the Conflict

The successful transit is notable because very few oil tankers have been able to cross the strait since the war began. Ship‑tracking data indicate that only a handful of Chinese‑linked tankers have managed to pass through Hormuz during the crisis .

For example, earlier in May another Chinese VLCC, Yuan Hua Hu, carrying roughly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, also crossed the strait after being stranded for more than two months .

These passages appear to be exceptions rather than evidence of a full reopening. Reports indicate that Iran has been tightly managing which vessels are able to transit and along which routes, reflecting its increased control over the waterway during the conflict .

Traffic Still Far Below Normal Levels

Even with these occasional departures, shipping activity through the strait remains drastically reduced. Before the war, around 20 oil tankers of various sizes crossed the Strait of Hormuz each day. During the conflict, only a small number of ships have managed to exit the Gulf in recent weeks .

The disruption has trapped large numbers of vessels in the region and created a significant bottleneck for global oil supply chains . Because roughly a fifth of the world’s oil typically moves through Hormuz, even partial interruptions can ripple through energy markets.

What the Tanker Movements Mean for China

For China, the departure of these ships releases delayed cargoes that were destined for its refineries. One of the vessels was chartered by Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, Asia’s largest refiner, and is expected to deliver its crude to southern China once the voyage is complete .

However, the volumes involved—about 4 million barrels total—are small compared with China’s normal crude import requirements. The shipments help clear a backlog of stranded cargo but do not fully restore the steady flow of Middle Eastern oil Chinese refiners typically rely on.

Implications for Oil and Shipping Markets

The tankers’ transit sends mixed signals to global markets:

• Oil supply: The movement reduces immediate fears of a total shutdown of Hormuz exports.
• Shipping: Persistent security risks, route restrictions, and insurance costs continue to strain tanker operations.
• Market pricing: Oil traders still factor in a geopolitical risk premium because flows remain uncertain and politically constrained.

In other words, the exit of the two Chinese supertankers represents a controlled trickle rather than a full recovery of shipping through Hormuz. The strait remains one of the most volatile pressure points in the global energy system while the conflict continues.