Three fully laden India-linked oil tankers have re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, adding to increased reports of traffic moving both ways across the Strait of Hormuz
3-MIN READ3-MINBloombergPublished: 5:04pm, 21 Jun 2026Three fully laden India-linked supertankers have re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, adding to increased reports of traffic moving both ways across the northern and southern routes of the Strait of Hormuz, while conflicting narratives over the status of transits persist.
The Desh Vibhor, Desh Vaibhav and Sanmar Herald were observed in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea on Sunday, after having been last seen signalling their attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz late on Friday, according to ship-tracking data.
Shipping Corporation of India, which is listed as the owner and manager of Desh Vibhor and Desh Vaibhav, on database Equasis, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment outside regular business hours. Neither did Sanmar Shipping Ltd., the operator of Sanmar Herald.
Iran proclaimed the strait shut on Saturday, that it was doing so because Israel’s continued attacks in southern Lebanon had violated a ceasefire deal. The US Central Command pushed back against the claim on Saturday, saying traffic had increased with 55 merchant ships crossing the strait – delivering nearly 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.
