The Strait of Hormuz saw a sharp decline in shipping activity on Thursday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran disrupted one of the world’s key energy corridors. Only three commodity ships navigated the crucial passage, marking the lowest daily traffic since May. This slowdown comes amid growing security concerns following recent attacks on commercial vessels and increased military tensions in the area.
The significant drop in vessel movement has sparked fears over global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for a substantial portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports, and the disruption has contributed to rising global oil prices. Many ships either postponed their voyages or reversed course due to the heightened security risks.
In the Gulf of Oman, several ships that successfully passed through the strait halted their journeys, while a fuel tanker that briefly exited the waterway turned back towards the Persian Gulf. This slowdown follows an already reduced traffic day on Wednesday, when only 11 vessels crossed the strait, far below the usual daily average of about 125 ships. Notably, large crude oil tankers and liquefied natural gas carriers remained absent for a second day in a row.
Despite the reduced traffic, two very large crude carriers carrying approximately two million barrels of oil each were later spotted outside the strait, continuing their routes to destinations in Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, Iraq temporarily halted oil loading operations at its Basra export terminal after a drone strike targeted an oil tanker, though operations resumed shortly afterward.
Iran has cautioned that oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz could continue to face disruptions if military actions persist, raising concerns over further instability in global energy markets. The situation underscores the strategic importance of this maritime chokepoint and the potential ramifications for international energy security.