Strait of Hormuz Closure Traps LNG Carriers and Oil Tankers.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut, leaving about 1,000 commercial vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf, including many oil tankers and LNG carriers.

The crisis began on 28 February after US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets prompted Tehran to close the vital waterway and warn ships against attempting passage.

Normally, the route carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil exports, but tanker traffic has dropped sharply as vessels avoid the area.

Major maritime insurers have withdrawn war-risk coverage, causing insurance premiums to surge and forcing shipping companies to halt voyages through the region.

The disruption is spreading through global energy markets, with Qatar halting LNG shipments, Iraq cutting output, and Asian refiners considering reserve releases.