https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156505/US-signals-U-turn-on-naval-convoys-to-restart-Hormuz-transits

The US had ruled out naval protection for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to industry officials. By Tuesday evening US President Donald Trump had reversed that call offering Navy escorts ‘as soon as possible’ and financial guarantees for maritime trade The US Navy told industry officials that no naval assets were available to escort commercial shipping.

US President Donald Trump signalled that the US navy was ready to offer security escorts for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday evening – less than 24 hours after Navy officials told shipping industry representatives that there was “no chance” of escorts happening any time soon.

In a social media post, Trump announced that he had ordered the US Development Finance Corporation to provide, “at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade”.

He added that “if necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible”.





Following multiple requests from industry bodies, representatives of the US Navy had briefed senior industry figures on Monday evening to confirm that there would be no availability of naval escorts and no timeline for when such arrangements will be available, if at all.

Industry officials had no immediate visibility on Tuesday evening of when escorts would be commencing.

Tanker transits through the strait of Hormuz have largely halted since March 1, leaving around 8% of the mainstream VLCC fleet locked inside the Middle East Gulf and a growing queue of tankers unable to enter via the Strait.

However, at least three Greek tanker owners are actively discussing suezmax fixtures through the strait with the intention of transiting at night with AIS turned off, Lloyd’s List understands.

While it has primarily been smaller tankers that have transited the strait since Sunday, one Greek-owned suezmax made a northward voyage around midnight (UTC) on Monday.

Another Greek-owned suezmax was seen sailing from the Gulf of Oman into the Middle East Gulf on March 1 and is now anchored off Saudi Arabia in ballast. While the vessel has suffered GNSS interference while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, there is a 12-hour gap in transmission beginning when it was south of the strait.

Passages through the strait are increasingly challenging to ascertain given widespread GNSS interference and potential dark transits by vessels.