Hormuz Shipping Traffic Falls 90% Below Pre-Conflict Levels

Fewer than 20 commodity vessels crossed the strategic Strait of Hormuz over the weekend as US and Iranian blockades restricted traffic through the vital energy corridor, according to data from shiptracker Kpler. Thirteen vessels transited on Saturday and just four on Sunday.

The figures could change slightly because some vessels switched off their tracking transponders while passing through.

Overall traffic also remained well below normal, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Transits detected by the Automatic Identification System were approximately 90% below pre-conflict levels in the week to 21 August.

Tankers accounted for 45% of traffic through the strait. Of these, 56% carried crude oil, oil products or chemicals, while LPG carriers accounted for a further 24%.

Since 6 July, UKMTO has reported 23 incidents involving projectile strikes that caused damage to bridges, engine rooms and other parts of vessels in the strait and its vicinity.

Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell on Sunday after rising the previous day. Kpler recorded 24 commodity vessels on Sunday, down from 32 on Saturday but up from 22 on Friday.

(Reuters, max)