Hormuz Anchorage: Hundreds of Ships Cluster in Middle East Gulf

Hundreds of ships have anchored in the Middle East Gulf, primarily off the coasts of major oil producers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq. According to Reuters estimates based on ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, many vessels were stationary within exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of key Gulf countries like Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Exclusive economic zones extend up to 24 miles beyond local territorial limits of 12 nautical miles. Some 20% of global oil passes through Hormuz, including from producers Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran, along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for international trade. Several tanker owners, oil majors, and trading houses suspended crude oil, fuel, and LNG shipments via the strait after recent attacks. However, no formal suspension has been communicated internationally by recognized maritime authorities.