Three tankers transit Hormuz with transponders off amid rising tensions

Three tankers, two carrying crude oil and one carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders deliberately switched off, according to shipping data from LSEG and Kpler. The exact timing of these transits remains unclear, but their movements are occurring within a broader context of escalating geopolitical tensions and a significant reduction in overall shipping traffic through this vital maritime chokepoint. These vessels are reportedly en route to destinations in Asia, with at least one specifically identified as heading towards India. The act of disabling transponders is a clear indication of the perceived risks to shipping in the region, likely intended to evade potential attacks or seizures amidst the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and other regional actors. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, is a critical transit route for a significant portion of the world's oil and LNG supplies. Historically, approximately 20-25% of global seaborne oil trade and a similar percentage of global LNG transit this strait. However, recent events have severely disrupted this flow. Since February 28, 2026, following air strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, shipping traffic through the Strait has been severely impacted, with Iran retaliating by warning ships and at times blocking passage [6]. This has led to a sharp decline in the number of commercial vessels transiting the strait, with daily traffic falling to single digits compared to a normal average of 70-90 vessels [9, 26]. India, a major energy importer, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The country relies heavily on this route for a substantial portion of its crude oil, LNG, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports [3, 10, 12, 13]. The ongoing crisis has already led to increased fuel import bills for India, with estimates suggesting billions of dollars in additional costs [14]. To mitigate these risks, India has been exploring alternative routes and suppliers, including rerouting some imports through the UAE and Oman [20]. The resumption of LNG shipments to India through the Strait, even under these risky conditions, underscores the country's continued dependence on this route [9, 10]. The practice of switching off transponders is not new in this conflict-ridden region. Several reports indicate that vessels have been intentionally going 'dark' to avoid detection and potential threats. This strategy, while offering a degree of stealth, also complicates real-time tracking and risk assessment for maritime authorities and insurers. The increased risk has led to a substantial rise in war-risk insurance premiums for vessels traversing the Strait, with rates reportedly 40 times higher than normal [7, 8]. The specific vessels involved in this recent transit are not explicitly named in all reports, but some accounts suggest that the LNG tanker Marigold, managed by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is among those heading towards India [24]. Other reports mention the Eagle Veracruz and Nissos Keros as supertankers heading to China and India respectively, though the dates and exact circumstances of their transits vary across sources [18]. The lack of precise timing and identification in some reports highlights the deliberate obfuscation employed by these vessels. The broader context of the Strait of Hormuz crisis includes the US-Iran conflict, which has seen retaliatory attacks, blockades, and significant disruptions to global energy markets. The International Maritime Organization had reported a large number of stranded mariners and ships earlier in the conflict [6]. While some efforts at de-escalation and negotiation have occurred, the situation remains volatile, with recent reports of vessel attacks even on the Omani side of the strait [25]. In summary, the transit of these three tankers with their transponders off is a stark illustration of the prevailing insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz. It underscores the continued risks to global energy supply chains and the lengths to which shipping operators are going to navigate these dangerous waters. The incident is a direct consequence of the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has reduced traffic and increased costs for vital energy imports, particularly impacting nations like India.

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