OIL TRADE

May 22 2026BUSINESS

Few ships dare to pass through the Strait of Hormuz now

The Strait of Hormuz used to buzz with over 125 ships every day. Today, just ten make the trip. Traffic dropped sharply after February’s conflict shut down the route. Hundreds of ships sit waiting in the Gulf with 20, 000 crew stuck on board. Most are dry bulk carriers or container ships bringing go

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Apr 25 2026POLITICS

Trump Hits Chinese Refinery Over Iranian Oil Ahead of China Visit

President Trump’s latest move hits a major Chinese oil plant, the Hengli Petrochemical refinery in Dalian, for dealing with Iranian crude. The decision follows his earlier warning that he would add secondary sanctions to companies and nations trading with Iran, aiming to weaken the Iranian economy.

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Apr 16 2026POLITICS

The UK-China economic puzzle: fixing Middle East tensions

Financial leaders worldwide turn their eyes toward Washington this week, where one of the most powerful finance chiefs from Europe just fired a warning shot about money and markets. The head of the UK Treasury, sitting across from TV cameras in the capital of the United States, made clear that the o

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Apr 15 2026POLITICS

Iran May Open Oman Side of Hormuz to Ships if Deal Reached

A recent conversation with a source close to Tehran revealed that Iran might allow vessels to travel freely through the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz, provided a peace agreement is signed with the United States. The strait is a vital artery for global trade, carrying roughly 20 % of the world

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Apr 12 2026POLITICS

Empty Ships, Full Claims: What’s Really Happening with U. S. Oil Tankers?

Reports say a fleet of massive oil tankers—some of the biggest in the world—are sailing toward America, but they’re traveling empty. President Trump suggested this is a smart move, claiming these ships are on their way to collect the country’s top-tier oil and gas. He even argued that the U. S. now

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Apr 04 2026POLITICS

Why Iran keeps its grip on the world’s oil highway

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway where a fifth of the planet’s oil moves. Iran sits on one side and Oman on the other. For decades this choke point gave Iran almost no leverage over global trade, but that changed when war broke out in late February. Since day one, Iran’s Revolutionary Guar

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Mar 07 2026POLITICS

U. S. Steps In to Cover Gulf Shipping Losses

The United States has announced a plan to insure maritime losses in the Gulf region, offering up to $20 billion in coverage. This move aims to give oil and gas shippers more confidence amid tensions with Iran. The initiative follows a halt in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, where norma

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Jan 24 2026POLITICS

US Takes Aim at Iran's Secret Oil Ships

The US has taken a stand against Iran's hidden oil ships. They've put sanctions on nine ships and eight companies. These ships and companies are based in India, Oman, and the UAE. They've been moving Iranian oil worth millions of dollars to other countries. The US Treasury says these ships help Ira

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Dec 22 2025POLITICS

Unseen Ships: The Growing Shadow Fleet and Its Global Impact

The world is facing a new challenge: a secret fleet of ships, often old and poorly maintained, is being used to move oil and other goods while avoiding sanctions. This fleet, known as the "shadow fleet, " is growing rapidly, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It now includes arou

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Dec 17 2025BUSINESS

Tankers in the Spotlight: Venezuela's Oil Game

In the vast Caribbean Sea, a fleet of at least 34 oil tankers, previously flagged by the U. S. , are currently navigating waters. These tankers have a history of transporting Venezuelan oil, with 12 of them seemingly filled with crude from the South American nation, according to trade intelligence f

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