Tanker from Hormuz Reaches Port of LB

Early in May, the final California-bound oil tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz has officially made its way to the Port of Long Beach (POLB), and in doing so has become a major symbol of growing concern across the state over fuel supplies, increased gasoline prices, and the global impact of the escalating conflict in Iran.

The Hong Kong-flagged tanker New Corolla was carrying around 2 million barrels of crude oil, departing on Feb. 24 from the Port of Basra in Iraq, days before the initial conflicts between the United States, Israel, and Iran erupted into war across the region. From Iraq, the tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz and crossed the Pacific Ocean directly to the Marathon Petroleum terminal at the POLB.

The tanker is among the last shipments to leave the Persian Gulf before the Iranian government implemented its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted many vital shipping routes that pass through the Persian Gulf, as well as effectively raised the price of oil and gasoline in the United States.

According to an official statement from POLB CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba, the last tanker’s arrival to California is a sign of how rising tensions in the Middle East were affecting both the state’s economy and fuel supply.

“This oil tanker signals how the conflict in Iran is reshaping shipping routes and raising the cost of gas and virtually everything consumers buy,” said Hacegaba. “With about 20% of our oil coming from the Middle East, we are closely monitoring impacts on California’s oil supply. Rising fuel costs are strengthening the case for energy resilience and independence, and the Port of Long Beach is acting now by investing in zero-emissions equipment, clean shipping corridors and renewable energy sources as we build the Port of the Future.”

Beachcomber has reached out to the POLB for additional comments but was unable to receive a response at this time.

Since the conflicts with Iran began, the cost for fuel and oil has increased significantly across California, with prices in both the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles reaching an average of $6.23 per gallon, according to an official data report from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

It is unclear as to when the war with Iran will officially end, or if the price for oil and gasoline will drop back down or remain stagnant for some time if it does. But as the war continues onward, many people on social media and online message boards have debated over the war’s ongoing impact on California’s economy and oil supplies – some commenting what they believe needs to be done for the state’s future, while others are sharing political blame.

“California does not need to import oil!” commented John Totten on Facebook. “If Newsom did not make things so difficult for the oil companies here in Calif. The refineries are closed and we have millions of barrels of oil underground.”

“Long Beach has plenty of oil and doesn’t need to import oil!” commented Daniel E. Spengler on Facebook. “California regulates production, basically choking off our own supply! This state can again be self-sufficient with cleaner technology than other locations. We need new leadership in California and end this status quo destroying this state!”