Ship traffic in Strait of Hormuz plummets as tensions rise

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply declined amid rising geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to data from ship tracking company Kpler, only 12 vessels passed through the strait over the weekend, down significantly from a pre-war average of 125 daily.

Decrease in Traffic

The reduction is part of a broader trend as conflict persists between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Prior to the February 28 start of hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz was typically bustling with approximately 125 large commercial vessels daily, including tankers, LNG carriers, bulkers, and container ships. This critical transit point handles a fifth of the world’s oil supply, making any disruption highly concerning for global energy markets.

Specific Traffic Data

A total of 17 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, down from 37 a week earlier. On Sunday, five vessels exited the strait while two small-sized oil tankers entered the Persian Gulf, according to Kpler’s provisional data as of 07:06 GMT. Among those exiting were the very large crude carrier Pinios, two tankers carrying refined oil products, and two empty carriers for bulk goods and gas.

The Pinios was transferring 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude off the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah to another VLCC, New Constant, which is expected to head to China. On Saturday, eight vessels left the Gulf carrying a mix of crude, agricultural products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and fertilizers. A large LNG carrier and a VLCC entered the strait on that day.

The Shandong Redwood LNG tanker, carrying cargo loaded from Qatar’s Ras Laffan port, exited the Hormuz strait on September 19 and is heading to Pakistan. Middle Eastern producers continue to export oil using tankers with their transponders off to avoid detection or potential attacks by Houthi rebels.

Impact of Attacks

The decline in traffic has been exacerbated by ongoing attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Aramco’s East-West pipeline. This key route for Saudi oil flows has prompted state energy firm Saudi Aramco to increase exports through the Strait of Hormuz this month and next.

Kpler data shows that 22 tankers, mostly Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), carried a total of 42 million barrels of crude out of the strait in the week leading up to September 13. Saudi Arabia and Iraq each accounted for 43% of this volume. At the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, 51 vessels crossed on Monday, with 33 exiting.

Ships Going Dark

A report from Marisks Intelligence notes that two ships passed through the strait on Monday: a minerals-laden Panama-flagged supramax and a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier. The data excludes any vessels using their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders to avoid detection.

On September 12, an Isle of Man-flagged crude oil tanker, LR Stephanie, was struck by an unidentified projectile while entering the strait, resulting in minor injuries to two crew members. The vessel is managed by Universal Tanker Corporation. Meanwhile, a Liberia-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, Al Maryah, was also attacked on the same day.

The incident reports from Marisks Intelligence state that both vessels were able to continue their journeys without towing assistance. Responsibility for these incidents remains unconfirmed, and neither vessel has been identified on publicly reported Iranian Persian Gulf Strait Authority non-compliant lists.

What this means for operators

The significant reduction in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz poses a serious operational challenge for ship operators. The lower volume of vessels passing through may lead to increased wait times and delays, as ships must navigate the strait more carefully due to reduced visibility. Operators should prepare for potential disruptions by diversifying their shipping routes and maintaining robust contingency plans. Additionally, with some vessels operating with their AIS transponders turned off, there is an enhanced risk of pirate or other threats, requiring operators to adopt heightened security measures.

Related coverage

• Six Vessels Hit in Strait of Hormuz Amid Iranian Attacks
• Delayed UKMTO Reports Reveal Four Tanker Strikes in Strait of Hormuz
• Vessels Struck by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz