On Thursday, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz experienced a steep decline, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran disrupted the passage of vessels in this vital corridor for global energy trade. Marking a significant drop, only three commodity vessels navigated the strategic channel, which is the lowest daily count observed since May. The growing security concerns stem from recent attacks on commercial ships and intensified military friction in the region, prompting many vessels to delay their journeys or reverse course.
This decrease in shipping activity raises alarms about the stability of global energy supplies, given the Strait of Hormuz’s crucial role in handling a considerable portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. The resulting disruption has already contributed to an uptick in global oil prices. Some of the vessels that managed to transit the strait subsequently paused in the Gulf of Oman, while one fuel tanker decided to turn back to the Persian Gulf after briefly navigating out of the waterway.
The situation on Thursday followed a similarly sluggish day on Wednesday, during which only 11 vessels passed through the strait—significantly less than the typical daily average of approximately 125 ships. Notably absent for the second day were large crude oil tankers and liquefied natural gas carriers, indicating the impact of heightened tensions on major energy trade.
Despite the overall reduction in traffic, two very large crude carriers emerged outside the strait later, each transporting around two million barrels of oil, continuing their journeys toward destinations in Asia and Europe. This movement highlights a persistent effort to maintain energy flows despite the prevailing challenges.
In a related development, Iraq momentarily halted oil loading operations at its Basra export terminal after a drone strike targeted an oil tanker. Operations resumed shortly afterward. Meanwhile, Iran has issued warnings that ongoing military actions could further disrupt oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz, fueling concerns about potential volatility in global energy markets.