Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined significantly over the weekend after a commodity vessel was struck while passing through one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The incident has raised fresh concerns about maritime security as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to impact regional trade.
According to maritime tracking company Kpler, a total of 29 commodity vessels crossed the strait on Saturday, while only 12 vessels made the journey on Sunday. The noticeable decrease followed the attack on a vessel during its transit on Saturday morning, prompting shipping companies to act more cautiously.
Just days earlier, shipping activity had reached its highest level since the beginning of the Middle East conflict. A memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington on June 15 had encouraged more vessels to use the strategic waterway, with 70 crossings recorded on Wednesday. However, the latest exchange of strikes between both countries has once again created uncertainty for international shipping.
Despite Iran’s warning against using unauthorized shipping lanes, several vessels continued to travel through the southern corridor in Omani waters. MarineTraffic data showed ships using the route for several hours after the incident before overall traffic slowed. Since the tracking platform relies on active transponders, the actual number of vessels may be slightly higher.
The movement of ships also shifted over the weekend. More vessels entered the Gulf than departed, reversing the previous trend that focused on moving stranded seafarers out of the region. A United Nations-led evacuation operation involving around 11,000 seafarers had already been suspended after another vessel was struck in the Gulf of Oman.
Reports indicated that four oil tankers and a container ship entered the Gulf through the southern Omani route under the protection of US Navy escorts. However, no ships were recorded leaving through the same corridor on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have started discussions on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington continues to oppose any transit fees for what it considers an international waterway. The evolving situation remains critical for global energy markets and international shipping.
