The number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to 16 on Aug. 11, according to Hellenic Shipping News and S&P Global Commodities at Sea reports. The reduction in traffic is attributed to a significant incident where the US Navy reportedly attacked a container ship en route to Iran.
According to Hellenic Shipping News, on Aug. 11, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the Panama-flagged Vela Nova container ship in violation of the US blockade against Iranian ports. The incident occurred when the Vela Nova was sailing from Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India toward Iran, having left on Aug. 6.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations noted an incident involving a container ship and military forces in the Gulf of Oman during the same period. A US Navy statement released on X indicated that the Vela Nova was heading for Iran in violation of the blockade. The ship’s manager, Golden Valley Marine Investment, did not respond to requests for comment.
Since the beginning of July, US forces have redirected 55 commercial ships attempting to run the blockade, disabled three others, and boarded two ships, according to CENTCOM. A total of 60 ships crossed the naval blockade line on Aug. 11, up from 50 on Aug. 10.
The traffic in the Strait included other significant movements. The VLCC Vadin left the Gulf after loading a cargo of Al Rayyan crude at Qatar, while the LR1 tanker Mezaira’a departed after loading refined products in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s MR tanker New Future also crossed into the Gulf heading for Khor Al Zubair, Iraq.
Impact on Traffic Patterns
The reduction in transit through the Strait of Hormuz has led to changes in navigation strategies among ships. According to gCaptain, Iranian attacks on commercial shipping are pushing vessels away from the U.S.-coordinated route and toward the northern, Tehran-controlled corridor.
A UK Maritime Trade Operations report noted a significant concentration of attacks along the southern route since July 6, with 16 out of 18 projectile strikes reported. Despite a brief recovery in late June, vessel traffic remains significantly reduced. The shift towards the northern route is evident as shipping companies prioritize risk avoidance over route substitution.
The change in transit patterns reflects ongoing tensions and security concerns in the region. Ship operators are advised to monitor navigational warnings and adhere to guidance from maritime authorities to mitigate risks associated with transiting the Strait of Hormuz.