Despite Vessel Attacks, Oil, LNG Loadings Proceeds in Middle East Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. By Florence Tan and Emily Chow June 29, 2026 Copyright Mike Mareen/AdobeStock Middle East producers are pushing ahead with loading oil and liquefied natural gas despite fresh ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed strikes between the U.S. and Iran in recent days, shipping data showed. Energy shipping in the strait slowed after attacks on a container ship on Thursday and an oil tanker on Saturday sparked fresh tit-for-tat strikes, straining Washington and Iran's interim peace deal. But on Sunday, a U.S. official said the two countries had agreed to halt recent hostilities and renew talks over the strategically important waterway. On Monday, a fourth Very Large Crude Carrier, capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, was seen loading at Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura terminal, LSEG data showed, even after a helicopter belonging to the company crashed on Sunday, killing 14 people. The cause of the crash was unknown. Three other VLCCs have loaded oil and gone dark since leaving the terminal over the weekend, according to the data. Going dark refers to vessels with their transponders switched off to reduce the risk of attack while sailing through the Gulf. One of these supertankers emerged on Monday, having exited the strait, and is now heading for Japan, the data showed. Two VLCCs entered the strait on Sunday and have docked at a United Arab Emirates terminal to load crude, LSEG data showed. Saudi Aramco declined to comment. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co said the company does not comment on the position, movements and routing of its vessels as a matter of policy. IRAN ACCELERATES OIL LOADINGS Iran is also accelerating oil loadings after Washington waived sanctions on its exports for 60 days. Tehran loaded simultaneously at both of its export terminals at Kharg Island on Saturday for the first time in nearly a week, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.