Two Oil Supertankers U-Turn in Strait of Hormuz After U.S. Strikes Raise Risk

Key Points

• It seems likely that two supertankers, Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty, turned back in the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, 2025, after US airstrikes on Iran.

• Research suggests this was due to heightened risks of Iranian retaliation, potentially disrupting oil shipments through this critical route.

• The evidence leans toward concerns about safety and increased shipping costs, with potential impacts on global oil prices.

Background

On June 22, 2025, following US military actions against Iranian nuclear sites, two large oil tankers altered their course in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil transport.

Event Details

The supertankers, each capable of carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil and found to be empty at the time, made U-turns to avoid entering the Persian Gulf, likely due to fears of escalating conflict.

Possible Reasons

The turnbacks appear linked to increased geopolitical tensions, with Iran considering closing the Strait of Hormuz and possibly attacking oil infrastructure, prompting shipping companies to prioritize safety.

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Comprehensive Analysis of Supertankers U-Turning in Strait of Hormuz After US Strikes

This note provides a detailed examination of the event where two supertankers, Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty, executed U-turns in the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, 2025, following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. It explores the reasons behind this action, the broader implications, and the reactions from shipping authorities and markets, offering insights for stakeholders in the energy and maritime sectors.

Context and Market Overview

The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a critical chokepoint for global oil transportation, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passing through it. On June 22, 2025, the region experienced heightened tensions following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, identified as Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting installations such as Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. This military action, reported by various news outlets, raised fears of Iranian retaliation, including potential closure of the Strait or attacks on oil infrastructure.

Detailed Event Description

On June 22, 2025, two supertankers, Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty, each capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude oil, made abrupt U-turns in the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel tracking data, as reported by Bloomberg and other sources, indicated that the tankers were empty and sailed south away from the Persian Gulf entrance, reversing their intended course. This action was likely a direct response to the increased risk perceived after the US strikes, with shipping companies and crews opting to avoid potential conflict zones.

Reasons for the U-Turns

Several factors contributed to the decision for the supertankers to turn back:

• Geopolitical Tensions: The US airstrikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, were seen as escalating the conflict, with Iran considering retaliatory measures. A Revolutionary Guard commander, Sardar Esmail Kowsari, stated that "closing the Strait of Hormuz is under consideration, and Iran will make the best decision with determination," as reported by EuroNews and The Economic Times. Potential actions include using missiles to target oil infrastructure, deploying warships to block access, or conducting cyberattacks, all of which could ensnare commercial shipping.

• Safety Concerns: The Greek shipping ministry, on June 22, 2025, advised vessels to reassess their movements through the Strait and seek shelter in safe ports, reflecting the heightened risk. Additionally, Japan's Nippon Yusen and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines instructed their vessels to minimize time in the Gulf on June 23, 2025, further indicating industry-wide caution.

• Insurance and Underwriter Influence: An X post reply from @JustAWuTangFan highlighted that "these ships all have to answer to an underwriter and those guys aren't going to be gaslit by the media's hopes this blows over any minute," suggesting that insurance providers likely played a role in the decision to turn back, prioritizing risk management.

Impact on Shipping and Markets

The U-turns have already had noticeable effects on the shipping industry and oil markets:

• Shipping Rates: Middle Eastern shipping routes saw significant spikes, with supertanker rates to East Asia increasing by 60% in less than a week. The benchmark rate rose from 44 Worldscale points on June 12, 2025, to 70-71 on June 17, 2025, and chartering costs reached near US$46,000 (S$59,000) per day on June 17, up by more than US$12,000 from the prior session, as reported by The Straits Times.

• Global Oil Supply Concerns: The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt 20% of global oil supply, impacting Europe, which imports oil and LNG from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE via this route. Security expert Claude Moniquet described such a scenario as "a disaster for Europe," highlighting the risk of energy shortages and spiked oil prices.

• Market Reactions: An X post from @MartinSzreter noted, "Markets may not panic yet—but when tankers U-turn, supply chains feel it first," and @LilyAtwoodh commented, "Hormuz chaos = oil shockwaves. Buckle up," reflecting public and market sensitivity to the event.

Technical and Regional Factors

Additional context includes reports of ships' electronics being jammed since Israeli air strikes on June 13, 2025, which may have further complicated navigation and safety in the region. This technical issue, combined with the geopolitical risks, likely contributed to the decision to turn back.

Comparative Analysis

Historically, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, such as threats of closure or attacks on shipping, have led to immediate market reactions, including rising oil prices and increased freight costs. The current event aligns with past instances, such as the 2019 tensions when Iran seized oil tankers, but the scale of the US airstrikes and Iran's potential response suggest a more significant impact this time.

Supporting Data Tables

Below are tables summarizing key details and impacts:

Detail	Information
Date of U-Turns	June 22, 2025
Supertankers Involved	Coswisdom Lake, South Loyalty
Capacity of Each Supertanker	~2 million barrels of crude oil
Location of U-Turns	Strait of Hormuz
Triggering Event	US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Operation Midnight Hammer)
Shipping Companies' Response	Japan's Nippon Yusen and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines minimized Gulf time on June 23
Greece's Shipping Ministry Advice	On June 22, advised reassessing movements, shelter in safe ports
Impact on Shipping Rates	Supertanker rates to East Asia up 60% in less than a week
Benchmark Rate Increase	From 44 Worldscale points (June 12) to 70-71 (June 17)
Chartering Costs on June 17	Near US$46,000 (S$59,000) per day, up by >US$12,000 from prior session

Potential Iranian Actions	Description
Missile Attacks	Short- and medium-range missiles targeting oil infrastructure, pipelines, vessels
Airstrikes	Using aircraft and drones to disable navigation or radar at shipping ports
Warship Deployment	Physically blocking access to the Strait
Cyberattacks	Similar to 2012 attack on Saudi Arabia's oil industry
Unmanned Drones	Deploying Shahed models to attack shipping lanes or infrastructure

Conclusion

The U-turns by Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty in the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, 2025, reflect the shipping industry's response to heightened geopolitical risks following US airstrikes on Iran. With Iran considering closing the Strait and potential attacks on oil infrastructure, the event underscores the vulnerability of global oil supply chains. The immediate impact includes spiked shipping rates and market concerns, with broader implications for energy prices and economic stability, particularly in Europe.

Key Citations

• Oil routes wobble Two tankers turn back from Hormuz as US strikes

• Two oil supertankers make U-turns in Strait of Hormuz after US

• Two SUPER TANKERS U-TURN IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AFTER US

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