Three Ships Enter Strait Of Hormuz Through New Route Along Oman Coast Amid Iran's Chokehold

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 13:40 IST

Two oil supertankers and a liquefied natural gas vessel headed into the Strait of Hormuz, broadcasting signals that they were Omani-owned.

Three tankers, apparently belonging to Oman, appeared to evade Iran’s chokehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz through a different route along Oman’s coastline, according to a report.

Two oil supertankers and a liquefied natural gas vessel headed into the strait on Thursday, Bloomberg reported, citing satellite signals the vessels were broadcasting. All three vessels are managed by Oman Ship Management Company, according to the Equasis marine database.

The three ships include the largest type of oil tankers, and one would be the first LNG carrier to escape the Gulf since the war began on February 28. Each of the three ships was broadcasting that they were Omani when transiting, as per the report.

ALSO READ: Secret Codes And Chinese Yuan: Here’s How Iran Plans To Turn Strait Of Hormuz Into Toll Route

Tracking data showed that the tankers were carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, while the gas carrier appeared to be empty. One of the tankers loaded in Saudi Arabia in late February was signalling its destination as Kyuakpyu in Myanmar, while the other carrier is carrying fuel from Abu Dhabi.

It was unclear if they completed the journeys, although a crossing usually takes several hours. The route followed by the three ships was to the south of the designated shipping lanes through the waterway, hugging the coastline and avoiding the path that runs between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, which has been associated with Iranian demands for tolling.

Strait Of Hormuz Chaos

This came after reports that Iran and Oman were drafting a protocol to monitor ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes of easing disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the region. Iran is also trying to set up a tolling system, seeking payments of as much as $2 million per voyage through the waterway.

READ MORE: Iran Preparing Maritime Protocol With Oman To Monitor Strait Of Hormuz Traffic: Report

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since the conflict began on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iran, triggering retaliation from Tehran. The disruption has caused a sharp rise in global oil prices and rattled financial markets.

The UN Security Council is set to vote on Friday on a proposal to secure the Strait of Hormuz, after the draft was significantly diluted following objections from China and Russia to provisions allowing the use of force to reopen the key shipping route that Iran has largely blocked.

Bahrain’s initial draft resolution would have allowed countries “to use all necessary means" — UN language that would include possible military action — “in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman" to secure passage and deter attempts to interfere with navigation. However, the final draft now eliminates any reference to allowing offensive military action after objections from Russia and China.

News world Three Ships Enter Strait Of Hormuz Through New Route Along Oman Coast Amid Iran's Chokehold

Read More