Strait of Hormuz Ship Traffic Remains at Minimal Levels

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained at minimal levels on Monday despite a slight increase from the weekend. Preliminary Kpler data showed that only six commodity ships passed through the key route – three entering the Gulf and three leaving.

By comparison, the 10-day average is 11 vessels a day. Three ships passed through the strait on Saturday and only two on Sunday.

No very large crude carriers or tankers carrying liquefied natural gas were recorded transiting the strait. Some vessels may, however, have passed through with their transponders switched off and would therefore not have been included in the tally.

Among the recorded vessels was the very large gas carrier Xavia, which entered the strait via the Iranian route under ballast, meaning without cargo. Such vessels are typically used to transport liquefied petroleum gases including propane and butane.

A medium-range fuel tanker and an intermediate-range tanker also entered the Gulf, while a medium-sized LPG carrier, a Panamax bulk carrier and a Panamax-sized fuel tanker left it.

(Reuters, max)