Sea Captains Go Dark to Maintain Persian Gulf Trade Trickle

Captains are sailing dark through the Strait of Hormuz to maintain a trickle of commerce despite the double blockade imposed by Iran and the US. Shipping data shows at least two liquified natural gas tankers have exited since the war began. Overnight, a French containership sailed through. All three vessels appear to have temporarily powered down transponders — known as going dark — to evade detection.

The movements buoyed investor sentiments as the US awaits Iran’s response to its latest proposal to open the Strait. Tensions continue to run high throughout the region after a new Israeli strike on Lebanon’s capital. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian today reported a rare meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, describing his encounter to state media as direct and frank.