Canadian Crude Reaches Japan as Hormuz Disruption Bites

An Exxon-chartered tanker left Vancouver on July 29, 2026 carrying Canada's first crude shipment to Japan in over a year, per Kpler. Eneos, Japan's top refiner, is the buyer. Before the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February 2026, over 90% of Japan's oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Tokyo cut its 2026 growth forecast from 1.3% to 0.9%.