Hormuz Havoc: Tankers Turn Tail as Tensions Thicken!

Empty Vessels and Shifting Sands

Blast it all! Heard the news from the taverns and the ravens—apparently some fancy ships are doing a right proper about face near the Strait of Hormuz. Yui Torikata some data shuffling sorceress at Kpler says six vessels—big ones mind you the kind that carry enough oil to make even Dijkstra blush—decided to change their minds faster than a noble changes sides in a war. They hightailed it out of there like a noonwraith fleeing a silver sword. Two very large crude carriers three chemical tankers and one refined products carrier. Names like Damsgaard South Loyalty COSWISDOM Lake... sound more like bad poetry than maritime vessels. Empty apparently. More useless cargo than Triss Merigold's collection of spell components.

The Ballad of Ballast

Now these ships they’re in ballast which for those not versed in nautical nonsense means they’re either completely empty or carrying next to nothing. Torikata says the situation is more 'fluid' than a freshly poured pint of ale. Seems three of these blighters—South Loyalty Coswisdom Lake and Damsgaard—had a change of heart (or compass rather) and are now beelining back towards the Strait. The other three are just loitering around probably waiting for the wind to change or perhaps for a Witcher to show up and make sense of it all. Gods I need a drink.

A Gulf of Low Expectations

Apparently after that whole Israel Iran dust up the number of empty tankers willing to waltz into the Middle East Gulf dropped lower than a dwarf’s opinion of elves. Seems shipowners are about as eager to sail into a potential warzone as I am to attend a royal banquet. But Torikata chirps that things have since “reversed.” The count of available tankers recovered and more vessels are now signaling their intent to enter the Mideast Gulf. Seems that for now the flow of ships is being sustained despite the chaos. Still I wouldn’t bet Roach’s saddle on it.

Electronic Tomfoolery and Rising Fears

Speaking of chaos some bloke named Andy Lipow (sounds like a dwarf with a speech impediment) says there are reports of widespread electronic interference and GPS jamming near the Strait. This makes navigation about as reliable as a griffin's promise not to eat your horse. Add to that the fact that a couple of tankers Front Eagle and Adalynn recently had a bit of a… rendezvous near the Strait resulting in a fire that probably smelled worse than a ghoul's armpit. Frontline the tanker company is now refusing new contracts to sail through the Strait. Smart move. I’d rather face a Leshen than deal with that kind of nonsense.

China's Silent Game and Iran's Dilemma

Lipow reckons that China being the big buyer of Iranian crude might be leaning on Iran to keep things calm. Apparently disrupting oil exports is akin to cutting off your own arm for Iran. Still corner a beast and it'll bite. If pushed Iran might decide to inflict some economic pain on the rest of the world. Classic case of damned if you do damned if you don't eh? Reminds me of politics in Vizima. Meanwhile Iran's parliament is flapping its gums about blocking the Strait but that decision lies with the national security council. Sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. Pass the Gwent cards.

Missiles Mines and Mayhem

Some British security firm Ambrey says several U.S. affiliated ships have bailed out of the Arabian/Persian Gulf since the U.S. started throwing its weight around. They reckon Iran is “almost certain to respond militarily,” probably by attacking or seizing U.S. ships. Jakob Larsen some security head honcho warns of anti ship missiles drones and the possibility of sea mines. Sea mines! Now that’s a low blow even for politics. He doubts Iran would lay them though since it could backfire on their own ships and cause an environmental disaster. Still in times like these it's best to expect the unexpected. Just like a Witcher contract things can get messy real quick. Time to find a quiet tavern and wait for this all to blow over. Toss a coin to your Witcher he says. More like toss a boat to your Witcher.