Oil tankers are increasingly making 'dark' transits through the Strait of Hormuz, turning off their transponders to avoid detection while navigating the critical waterway. This shift in shipping patterns comes as vessels seek to maintain crude oil flows despite regional tensions and security concerns in one of the world's most important oil chokepoints.

These risky voyages operate under US air cover protection, with military aircraft providing surveillance and security assistance to commercial shipping. The move reflects growing concerns about potential disruptions to oil shipments from the Middle East, where geopolitical tensions have intensified in recent months. Tanker operators are balancing safety risks against the need to keep oil markets stable.

The increased dark transit activity appears to be supporting crude prices and keeping them below $100 a barrel by ensuring continued oil flow despite the security challenges. This suggests that while the situation remains volatile, the combination of evasive shipping tactics and military protection is preventing more severe market disruptions that could send prices significantly higher.