Oil-tanker freight rates have reached record levels as the U.S.-Iran war and renewed fighting in Yemen disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, two critical energy chokepoints. VLCC freight from the Gulf of Oman to China rose to about Worldscale 450, or roughly $11.50 a barrel, around 4.5 times the standard benchmark. The alternative route emerged after hostilities began in February and Iran effectively closed Hormuz. Separate Baltic Exchange benchmarks have also surged. Middle East-to-China supertanker earnings reached $800,000 a day, while the newer Gulf of Oman-to-East Asia measure approached $386,000 a day after climbing 85% from its inception. Rates on the West Africa-to-Asia VLCC route have also hit records as shipowners avoid high-risk waters and vessel availability tightens globally. Preliminary tracking data showed seven ships transited Hormuz on September 10, compared with about 125 large commercial vessels daily before the war. Houthi forces seized Mokha after a September 3 offensive in Yemen, contributing to a sharp decline in Bab el-Mandeb traffic and forcing Saudi Arabia to use longer export routes. Brent settled at $107.63 a barrel on Thursday and West Texas Intermediate rose to $102.48, while higher freight, insurance and rerouting costs add to inflation pressures and fuel prices.