LONDON: Shipping monitor Kpler has confirmed 31 verified vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz during the past 24 hours, signalling a gradual recovery in maritime traffic through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The increase in ship movements comes amid easing regional tensions and growing confidence among shipping operators following recent diplomatic developments in the Gulf region.
Last week, Tehran and Washington signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, laying the groundwork for the negotiations, after a 40-day war that was followed by weeks of ceasefire.
While traffic levels remain below pre-conflict averages, industry observers view the latest figures as a positive indication that concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies are beginning to subside.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical transit route for a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any improvement in shipping activity through the waterway is closely monitored by global markets, as it has direct implications for energy prices, supply chains, and international trade.
“West-to-east movements dominated, while Iranian, Omani and IMO (International Maritime Organisation) routes all remained in use,” Kpler says on X.
“The Strait appears operational under the US-Iran MoU, but dark-route activity and uncertainty beyond the 60-day window keep the recovery cautious,” it adds.
Hormuz traffic cautiously improves
Confirmed Strait of Hormuz traffic stayed active on 23 June, with 31 verified crossings across commercial and energy-linked vessels. West-to-east movements dominated, while Iranian, Omani and IMO routes all remained in use. The Strait appears… pic.twitter.com/TOe354A89q
— Kpler (@Kpler) June 24, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he has been assured by Iran that no tolls will be charged from the vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue to secure a lasting end to the war in the Middle East.
He added that negotiations would end immediately if Iran imposed tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran has informed the US that… there are ‘NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ’,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without specifying whether those assurances would remain in place after the 60-day negotiating period.
Brent crude falls below $75
The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, has fallen below $75 a barrel for the first time since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, reflecting growing investor confidence in regional stability.
Brent North Sea crude declined by 3.1 per cent to $74.73 a barrel, extending losses recorded since the United States and Iran reached an agreement last week to end hostilities that began on 28 February.
Oil prices continued their downward trend on 24 May, with Brent dropping below $74 a barrel as concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies eased.
Market sentiment has improved amid increasing tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and progress in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, key issues, including nuclear inspections and sanctions, remain unresolved, according to Euronews.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz is gradually recovering after months of heightened tensions, although volumes remain below pre-conflict levels. Prior to the war, between 125 and 140 vessels carrying approximately 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the strategic waterway each day.
US, Iran agree 60-day roadmap for final deal
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday released a joint statement after the high-level US-Iran direct talks in Switzerland. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the talks as mediators. The Qatari Prime Minister also attended the talks as mediator.
According to a joint statement issued on Monday, the US and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement following the conclusion of high-level talks in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
The first session of negotiations under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding concluded at the Burgenstock resort, bringing together representatives of Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar.
