Three Chinese Tankers U-Turn in Hormuz as Risks Remain High

(Bloomberg) — Three China-linked supertankers have U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz as risks to shipping remain elevated, with prospects for a normalization of traffic dimming after President Donald Trump took a hard line on Iran.

The Sea V, laden with Iraqi crude, was heading toward Hormuz from the Persian Gulf on Tuesday when it turned around, and is now idling near the entrance to the strait, ship-tracking data and fixtures show. In the opposite direction, the Hestia transited into the gulf along the Omani coast early Wednesday before changing direction and sailing out, while the Iraq-bound Erecter