Strait of Hormuz Sees Lower Shipping Traffic Amid Security Concerns

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell below the August daily average as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to affect activity around the strategic waterway.

Iran’s newly appointed Basij paramilitary commander said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz was under Iran’s “control and management.”

The statement came as the United States said it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and increase economic pressure on Tehran after ceasefire talks stalled.

According to Kpler data, nine commodity vessels passed through the strait on Thursday, compared with five the previous day.

The figure remained below the August daily average of 12 vessels. Five ships entered the Gulf, while four exited toward the Gulf of Oman, with most travelling through Iran’s shipping route.

The security situation remained a concern after Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said two of its vessels were attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening.

No injuries were reported. The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of carrying out the attacks.

Separately, Kpler data showed that 19 commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Thursday with their transponders switched on, compared with 20 vessels the previous day.

Vessels travelling with their tracking systems turned off are not included in the figures.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major international shipping route for oil and other commodities.

Any sustained reduction in traffic could affect the movement of energy supplies and increase concerns among shipping companies, traders and governments about security in the region.

The latest developments come as the United States and Iran remain at odds over the security and control of the waterway.

Shipping activity is expected to remain closely watched as any further attacks, restrictions or diplomatic developments could influence the number of vessels willing to transit the strait.

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