Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz significantly decreased on Wednesday, the first day following the U.S. reimposition of naval blockades on Iranian ports, amid escalating strikes between the two nations across the Gulf.
Shipping data from Kpler revealed that only seven vessels transited the vital waterway on Wednesday, predominantly utilizing the Iranian route, a notable reduction from the thirteen recorded the preceding day.
Tensions have heightened since Iran announced late Saturday its closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Military operations are reportedly hindering maritime traffic through this critical chokepoint, which historically handled approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments prior to the conflict.
On Wednesday, four empty vessels, comprising three small oil tankers and a dry bulk carrier for grains, entered the Gulf, according to Kpler data. The three vessels that departed the strait carried liquefied petroleum gas, coal, and fuel oil.
The previous day, a Suezmax tanker carrying one million barrels of Saudi crude oil exited the strait with its transponder deactivated. Notably, no Very Large Crude Carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers were observed passing through the strait on Wednesday.
