Hormuz traffic slows to multi-week low as renewed US, Iran strikes raise safety risk

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased, reaching a multi-week low due to renewed strikes between the United States and Iran, which have raised safety concerns for vessels in the area. Following a period of increased traffic after a ceasefire was established, the situation has deteriorated, with reports indicating that only six commodity tankers managed to pass through the strait on Thursday, and 21 vessels transited on Wednesday, according to Kpler data reported by AFP. This decline is particularly pronounced through the UN-backed Omani passageway. The recent attacks on vessels have prompted some oil and gas tankers to turn back from the strait. Four tankers were reported to have reversed their course following these incidents. The only day with lower traffic since the US-Iran truce was signed occurred on June 28, when just 19 ships crossed the strait, a day after a tanker was attacked off Oman. Andrew Wilson, head of research at BRS shipbrokers, indicated in a webinar that they anticipate only "ebbs and flows" of traffic through Hormuz "almost until the end of the year." Since June 17, more than 500 ships have passed through the strait, but many remain stuck, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by maritime traffic in the region. The situation reflects the fragile state of the truce between the US and Iran, as the safety of shipping routes continues to be jeopardized by military actions and threats.