Strait of Hormuz Shipping Traffic Plummets After Tanker Attacks, Data Shows

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, slowed to a near-standstill over the weekend following recent attacks on tankers and stalled diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran. The disruption underscores the escalating risks in one of the world's most important maritime corridors.

A Sharp Decline in Transits

Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed a dramatic decline in commercial shipping activity. Key figures from the weekend include:

• Saturday: Only five commodity vessels transited the strait.
• Sunday: No vessels were registered as passing through.

This marks a stark contrast to the 31 vessels that passed through during the prior weekend, according to the data provider. Before the regional conflict began in February, more than 130 ships a day typically traversed the waterway. Kpler noted that some ships may be passing through undetected by switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders.

Geopolitical Tensions and Market Impact

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The slowdown follows a report from the United Arab Emirates that three vessels operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked in transit last week. The incident has intensified geopolitical friction, with the United States stating it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely.

Talks to resolve the conflict have stalled. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, told local media on Saturday that Washington must meet Tehran's conditions regarding the strait for normal shipping to resume. The waterway is a vital artery for the global economy, previously handling about a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Sustained disruptions could have significant implications for energy prices and global supply chains.

Broader Regional Instability

Tensions are also affecting other key shipping lanes in the region. At the Bab el-Mandeb strait, where Yemeni Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20, vessel traffic has also decreased.

Kpler data showed 49 commodity vessels transited Bab el-Mandeb over the weekend, down from 55 in the previous week. No Saudi oil shipments were tracked through the strait during this period, according to the report.