Two oil tankers reverse course in the Indian Ocean and head for Fujairah ahead of potential Hormuz reopening

Two oil tankers, Suezmax Kapodistrias 21 and VLCC Coslucky Lake, made abrupt U-turns in the Indian Ocean and rerouted to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, instead of Gabon and South Africa. The moves reflect shipowners’ push to pre-position vessels at a Middle East loading hub ahead of a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The shift highlights expectations for faster Middle East crude export flows and reinforces the market’s view of a tight near-term spot balance.