Cape Horn
Southernmost headland of South America, in Chile.
One of three tankers seized by the United States Navy rounded Cape Horn in The Week to 25 September 2026, making 8 to 9 knots. A laden supertanker is too big for the Panama Canal, so the Horn is the only way between oceans.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is a seized tanker going the long way round the bottom of South America?
Timeline for Cape Horn
Mentioned in: Three seized tankers near American ports
Iran Conflict 2026Background
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the South American mainland chain, on Hornos Island in Chile's Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It marks the northern EDGE of the Drake Passage, where Atlantic and Pacific waters meet in some of the roughest seas anywhere.
A laden Very Large Crude Carrier runs to 200,000 tonnes deadweight and beyond, past the Panama Canal's limit of roughly 120,000 tonnes. A supertanker moving between oceans therefore has to round the bottom of the continent, which adds thousands of miles to the voyage and leaves no shorter option.
That is how it enters this conflict, as a position report. One of three sanctioned tankers interdicted by the United States Navy rounded the Horn in The Week to 25 September 2026, while two others were off northern Brazil, all three making 8 to 9 knots against a normal 12 to 13. The route and the pace keep close to 6 million barrels of crude offshore while forfeiture proceedings run in court.
Where is Cape Horn?
Why do ships still sail round Cape Horn?
Which seized tanker rounded Cape Horn?
Why is Cape Horn dangerous?
