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Hormuz Shipping Traffic Remains Constrained as 2 Vessels Hit by Unknown Projectiles

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Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains constrained as security risks persist around the key energy chokepoints.

The continued reduction in traffic underscores the disruption facing shipping through the waterway.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations on Tuesday reported that two vessels were struck by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

In one incident, a bulk carrier sustained damage to its starboard side and reported a crew casualty, while in another, a vessel was hit during an outbound transit, damaging its engine room and injuring a crew member.

The remaining crew from the second vessel were being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard. No environmental impact was reported in either incident, and authorities were investigating.

UKMTO advised vessels transiting the Strait to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard, according to the report.

In its 48-hour update, UKMTO said activity by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps persisted, including attempted attacks or harassment, unmanned aerial vehicle overflights and targeted surveillance of merchant vessels.

"Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained at reduced levels," the UKMTO said, adding that independent tracking data indicated traffic remained suppressed, with single-digit numbers or no tankers transiting in either direction.

The threat of drifting or uncharted mines also remained a concern.

In the Bab el-Mandeb region, the UKMTO reported no confirmed attacks during the period, although commercial traffic remained below pre-escalation levels.

Traffic remained subdued despite continued risks following the Houthis' July 20 declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and earlier attacks on commercial vessels.

Al-Mokha Port remains closed to commercial traffic after over 25 cumulative missile impacts and fires at berths, according to the UKMTO. The closure has forced remaining commercial logistics in the lower Red Sea to reroute.

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