LONDON: Ship crossings through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Thursday, according to preliminary shipping data, underscoring growing concerns over maritime security in the Middle East as uncertainty continues to surround US-Iran peace talks.
Only seven commodity ships were recorded passing through the strategic waterway on Thursday, down by half from 14 crossings the previous day, according to data from Kpler.
Of the seven ships, four were entering the strait while three were leaving it. The decline highlights the continued disruption to commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage for global energy markets, carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the outbreak of the war.
The ships recorded on Thursday did not include any very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers, indicating that traffic involving some of the largest energy cargoes remained particularly limited.
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However, one very large gas carrier transporting propane and butane successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz using a route close to the Iranian coast, according to the shipping data.
The sharp fall in ship movements comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region. Shipping companies and energy traders are closely monitoring developments as geopolitical tensions continue to raise the risks associated with transiting the narrow waterway.
The situation is further complicated by uncertainty surrounding possible US-Iran peace negotiations, which remain unresolved. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could have significant consequences for global oil and gas supplies, potentially adding further pressure to already volatile energy markets.
The latest data offers an early indication of the extent to which security concerns and political uncertainty may be affecting commercial traffic through the vital maritime chokepoint.
