Oil Shipments Through Hormuz Pick Up on Back End of Ceasefire Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 19, 2026 © Adobe Stock/Rayhan Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz picked up on Friday after the United States and Iran signed a ceasefire deal, with Gulf producers preparing to raise exports despite concerns over conditions set by Tehran for using the vital waterway. Washington and Tehran released the text of an interim agreement signed on Wednesday to end the conflict, although U.S. President Donald Trump warned he could resume attacks and target Iranian officials if commitments are not honoured. At least four tankers carrying crude, oil products and liquefied petroleum gas entered the strait on Friday, heading for Iraqi Gulf ports, according to MarineTraffic data. A Japanese-owned crude tanker exited the strait after being delayed by the war and was bound for Japan. Separately, Indian-flagged crude supertankers Desh Vibhor and Desh Vaibhav had commenced voyages through the strait to India after days of disruption. VESSELS SWITCH ON SIGNALS AS TRAFFIC RETURNS Ships resumed broadcasting positions as they transited Hormuz, after weeks of concealing movements by switching off transponders. There were 25 commercial crossings through Hormuz on June 18 - the highest single-day count since April 18 and more than five times the average daily level of the first 10 days of June, AXS Marine data showed. Traffic remains well below the pre-conflict level of about 120 daily crossings. Gulf oil producers were already active with tenders. Kuwait Petroleum Corp is offering crude for July delivery via a tender, a document showed on Friday, after lifting force majeure and announcing plans to ramp up output, while Abu Dhabi National Oil Company issued its fourth tender this month. The U.S. formally lifted its blockade of Iranian ports on Thursday. "Mariners should be advised of the existence of mines and expect naval presence as clearance operations continue," the U.S. navy-led Jo