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Hormuz Traffic Slumps as Iran Pressure Weighs on Gulf Shipping

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Commercial shipping via the Strait of Hormuz remained depressed last week as heightened Iranian pressure and tighter US enforcement continued to disrupt traffic through one of the world's key energy chokepoints.

The latest data from Kpler shows that 77 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz last week, down 22% from the previous week, while laden voyages fell to 33 from 45.

The data analytics firm said that sanctioned and shadow-fleet crossings dropped to 23 from 50, while 40 transits were classified as route undetermined and 32 used Iran's unilateral routing scheme.

The decline comes despite no confirmed attacks or major disruptions during the period, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

The UKMTO said that Iranian forces continued attacks, attempted attacks and harassment activity, including unmanned aerial vehicle overflights and targeted surveillance of merchant shipping.

The maritime security agency said that activity demonstrates Tehran's intent to maintain a presence along key transit lanes and pressure vessels using the waterway.

The US Central Command said that the US military has also stepped up enforcement activity in the waterway, having redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two to ensure compliance as of Sept. 6.

Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in contrast, moved in the opposite direction, with total crossings rising 9.7% to 248, according to MarineTraffic. Laden voyages increased to 109 from 103.

UKMTO said there were no confirmed attacks or disruptions in the Southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb during the period.

Commercial traffic nevertheless remained below normal levels, consistent with conditions following the July 20 Houthi declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and earlier confirmed attacks on vessels in the region.

Traffic through Hormuz, one of the world's key energy chokepoints, remains constrained, with vessels showing greater reliance on alternative or Iran-managed routing and a sharp reduction in laden voyages.

The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The latest data indicates that a prolonged disruption could affect flows of crude oil, refined products and liquefied natural gas and add to concerns over global energy supplies.

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