Hormuz Traffic Falls to Three Ships as Red Sea Tensions Rise

Only three commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, down from four the previous day, according to the latest data from Kpler.

The general cargo ship Kaiser left the strait carrying freight, while the dry bulk carrier H7 Smb8 entered in ballast to pick up cargo in the Gulf. The Hsin Ocean also entered the waterway carrying refined palm olein.

No very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers were seen passing through the strait as continuing attacks by the United States and Iran kept security risks high.

Tensions are also rising in the Red Sea. Two tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course before reaching the Bab el-Mandeb strait following threats from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.

The group has vowed to blockade Saudi oil shipments and warned shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi ports or risk becoming targets.

(Reuters, Max)