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Would one supertanker really do it? Because once the first one goes, you'd have a pretty rapid response before they can get others anywhere near.



Probably not, but I'd guess even one supertanker would be more effective than one might expect. We're talking about vessels that are nearly half a kilometer long. Note that the tankers transiting the Strait have very limited maneuverability; it is difficult to turn on a dime when you're carrying half a million tons of cargo. Moreover, tanker captains are a very conservative lot: they will be reluctant to make a transit even if there is room if there are not sufficient margins of error for fear of further jamming the channel.




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