Three tankers divert away from Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions

Three empty oil and chemical tankers have changed their routes away from the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic on Monday.

The diversions come amid rising concerns that Iran might retaliate in the strategic waterway following recent US airstrikes on its nuclear infrastructure.

The tankers Marie C and Red Ruby, both traveling without cargo, had been en route to the Strait but instead dropped anchor off the coast of the United Arab Emirates near Fujairah.

Another vessel, the Kohzan Maru, was navigating through the Gulf of Oman, staying close to Omani territorial waters, the tracking data showed.

Meanwhile, Japanese shipping companies Nippon Yusen and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced on Monday that they had advised their vessels to limit the amount of time spent in the Gulf while continuing their transits through the Strait of Hormuz.