Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Al Jaber, said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed despite a ceasefire, with Iranian restrictions still blocking normal energy exports.
According to a report by Anadolu, citing his post on LinkedIn, around 230 loaded oil vessels are waiting to sail.
Al Jaber stated that access to the waterway was being restricted and conditioned, adding that “conditional passage is not passage.” He emphasized that the strait must be reopened “fully, unconditionally, and without restriction.”
According to him, approximately 230 vessels loaded with oil are ready to sail, and ADNOC has already loaded cargoes. He also noted that the company would expand production within the limits imposed by war-related damage to its infrastructure and the need to ensure staff safety.
“Markets remain at a critical crossroads. The final cargoes that transited the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict are now arriving at their destinations. This is where the paper-traded markets are meeting physical reality, and the 40-day gap in global energy flows is truly exposed,” he added.
His remarks came as Iran announced alternative entry and exit routes for ships transiting the strait, saying the measures were aimed at reducing the risk of collisions with potential sea mines in the main shipping zone. Iranian media and officials said vessels should use designated corridors for maritime safety.
Shipping firms, however, have remained cautious despite the US-Iran ceasefire announced earlier this week.
Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz handled about one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for energy markets, particularly in Asia, which Al Jaber noted receives most cargoes moving through the corridor.
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