After months of remaining “dark,” three Saudi supertankers have reappeared carrying a massive crude oil shipment.
Three Saudi-flagged very large crude carriers (VLCCs)—Jaham, Shaden, and Awtad—have reappeared on AIS tracking after more than two months of being “dark,” indicating renewed vessel visibility in the Strait of Hormuz. According to MarineTraffic data, the ships resumed transmissions on June 18, 2026 while transiting routes associated with the strait.
Their reappearance comes amid increased scrutiny of tanker activity in the Gulf, where changes in vessel tracking are closely monitored as potential indicators of geopolitical risk management, sanctions-related caution, or security-driven operational decisions.
Routing data shows that Shaden is currently en route to Kiire, Japan, while Awtad is headed for Ulsan, South Korea—both key refining hubs in Asia.
The destination of Jaham has not yet been confirmed. Commodity analytics firm Kpler estimates that the three VLCCs are collectively carrying about 6 million barrels of crude oil, highlighting the significant volume currently in transit.
Market observers say the sudden restoration of AIS signals may signal a cautious return to normal tracking practices, potentially easing uncertainty around Gulf shipping routes that are critical to global energy flows.
The reappearance of VLCCs on AIS tracking after more than two months of “dark” operations is being viewed as a tentative return to greater visibility in the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints—suggesting a cautious shift toward greater transparency in global oil flows.
