Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, some supertankers (Very Large Crude Carriers) are accelerating their passage through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint in global oil trade.
Ship-tracking data show some tankers moving at speeds up to about 17 knots — significantly faster than their usual ~13 knots — as operators try to reduce time spent in the potentially volatile waterway.
Fear-driven actions like speeding up can also boost freight rate volatility as shipowners weigh risk premiums and adjust schedules to avoid perceived danger, even if actual disruptions have not yet occurred.
Because the strait is essential for global oil shipments, any disruption real or feared — reverberates across energy markets. Elevated tensions in the region have already helped push crude oil prices higher in recent days.