Commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has expanded to daytime crossings after months in which ships largely traveled through the strategic waterway at night, as U.S. forces widen mine-cleared sections of the central shipping lane.

Around 40 vessels are now making the passage each day under U.S. military protection, carrying approximately 14 million barrels of oil daily, a U.S. official told Axios.

The shift represents an important expansion of traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Shipping through Hormuz has remained severely disrupted by the confrontation with Iran, forcing commercial vessels to rely heavily on American military protection.

Saudi Arabia has significantly increased shipments through Hormuz as its fighting with the Houthis intensifies around the Red Sea. Several LNG and LPG tankers have also successfully crossed during the past week.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)