18/08/2026
MAXI STORAGE BV | ENERGY & MARITIME MARKET UPDATE TANKER TRAFFIC SLOWS FURTHER AS OIL PRICES RISE
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed further over the weekend, adding renewed pressure to global oil markets as geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect maritime energy flows.
According to data cited by Reuters from Kpler, only five commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, while no commodity vessels were scheduled to transit on Sunday. This compares with 31 tankers recorded passing through the waterway during the previous weekend. The figures do not include vessels operating in so-called “dark mode.”
At the time of reporting, Brent crude was trading around $88.62 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at approximately $82.18 per barrel. Brent had earlier moved above $89 per barrel before retreating.
GEOPOLITICAL RISK RETURNS TO OIL MARKETS
Reduced tanker movements through one of the world's most important energy corridors are increasing concerns over transportation delays, supply-chain disruption, freight costs, and energy-market volatility.
Recent reported attacks involving tankers in the Persian Gulf, together with renewed uncertainty surrounding U.S.–Iran relations, have contributed to a stronger geopolitical risk premium in crude oil markets.
Oil prices gained approximately 5% last week, reversing much of the decline seen earlier in August.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GLOBAL OIL LOGISTICS
Continued uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz could have wider implications for:
• Tanker scheduling and voyage planning
• Petroleum supply-chain continuity
• Marine transportation and insurance costs
• Refinery feedstock availability
• Regional and global storage demand
• Crude oil and refined-product price volatility
For storage operators and energy logistics companies, developments around major maritime chokepoints reinforce the importance of strategic storage capacity, flexible terminal planning, and supply-chain resilience.
Maxi Storage BV continues to monitor developments across the international energy and maritime logistics markets, with particular attention to major shipping corridors and their impact on petroleum storage and terminal operations.
Contact our commercial and operations team for storage and terminal inquiries.