Global oil prices have risen sharply after attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. At the start of trading in Asia, prices jumped by about 13% after reports of attacks on at least three tankers.
This is reported by Bloomberg, BBC.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, two ships received direct missile hits, and an "unknown projectile" exploded near another. After the incidents, traffic through the strait, which provides transit for about 20% of world oil and liquefied gas supplies, has virtually stopped.
Brent oil has exceeded USD 82 per barrel, although some of the growth was later lost. Analysts warn: prolonged disruptions could provoke a new wave of fuel price increases. In 2025, about 9% of the world's daily gas oil supplies and almost 18% of jet fuel passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 150 tankers have stopped in the waters of the Persian Gulf. Shipping company Maersk announced the suspension of voyages through the dangerous region and is rerouting ships to bypass Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
Financial institutions are already revising forecasts. Citigroup raised its short-term Brent price estimate to USD 85 per barrel and does not rule out a jump to USD 120 in the event of infrastructure damage.
Goldman Sachs estimated the current "risk premium" at USD 18 - this corresponds to a scenario of a complete stoppage of tanker traffic for six weeks.
JPMorgan Chase warns that if the crisis drags on for more than three weeks, Gulf oil-producing countries could face a shortage of storage capacity and be forced to cut production.
"We are looking at a scenario where disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz last more than a few days, to weeks or months. In that case, we definitely see the opportunity to get a price of USD 100 per barrel," Jorge León, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, said in a Bloomberg commentary.
On the eve of the OPEC+ alliance countries agreed to increase production by 206,000 barrels per day, trying to contain price increases. However, some experts doubt that this will help, since even additional oil is currently difficult to transport through the blocked strait.
Goldman Sachs analysts also predict that in the event of a month-long shipping shutdown, natural gas prices in Europe could more than double.
Recall that OPEC+ may consider increasing oil production after the strike on Iran.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.