Three Tankers Navigate High Risk Strait of Hormuz via Rare Omani Route Amid Regional Conflict

Three tankers, including one Japanese-owned, successfully navigate the Strait of Hormuz via Omani waters as traffic drops 94% amid the Middle East conflict.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 5:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Korea Times

Strategic Transit Avoids Iranian Controlled Corridors

Three commercial tankers completed a notable crossing of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, utilizing a transit path that stayed close to the shores of Oman. This specific route represents a rare departure from the "Tehran Toll Booth," an Iranian approved corridor near Larak Island that has been the only viable path for the few vessels brave enough to enter the region over the last three weeks. According to maritime traffic data, these vessels successfully navigated the Musandam Peninsula to avoid the direct oversight of Iranian naval forces which have maintained a tight grip on the waterway since the outbreak of the Middle East war.

Japanese Interests Mark First Exit from the Gulf

Among the vessels that completed the transit was the Sohar LNG, a tanker jointly owned by the Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Japanese media confirmed on Friday that this was the first vessel under Japanese ownership to exit the Gulf since the conflict significantly escalated on March 1. The tanker was empty at the time of passage, having been stationed within the Gulf since late February. Its successful departure is seen as a critical test of maritime safety for international energy firms that have been paralyzed by the threat of retaliatory strikes in the region.

Drastic Reduction in Global Energy Traffic

The Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles approximately twenty percent of the worlds total oil and liquefied natural gas supply, has seen its traffic dwindle to a mere trickle. Data provided by maritime provider Kpler indicates that total crossings by commodities carriers have plummeted by 94 percent compared to peacetime averages. Since the beginning of March, only 240 crossings have been recorded, with the vast majority being oil tankers and gas carriers attempting to exit the strait under high security protocols.