Japanese Tankers Head Closer to Hormuz as More Ships Gather

Two Japanese crude tankers are heading east along the Persian Gulf in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a growing number of vessels gathered at the entrance to the waterway during a US-Iran ceasefire, even as President Donald Trump ramps up criticism and transits remain limited.

The Mayasan and Yakumosan, both very-large carriers each hauling around 2 million barrels of crude, began sailing east late Thursday from waters off Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia, where they have been since mid-March. The Sea Condor, a Greek-flagged products tanker that loaded in Kuwait, was also moving east in the direction of Hormuz.