Hormuz Shipping Traffic Falls Further as Middle East Attacks Intensify

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined further at the start of the week as attacks intensified across the Middle East, according to shipping data.

Preliminary figures showed four commodity vessel transits at Hormuz on Monday, down from 10 the previous day. Two dry bulk carriers left the waterway — one laden and one in ballast — while two oil tankers entered, both in ballast mode.

The count excludes some vessels that may have crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders switched off to avoid detection.

Separately, Iranian media reported on Monday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, that an oil tanker exploded and caught fire after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz. No timing was given for the incident.

Diplomatic efforts also suffered a setback the same day when Gulf Arab states postponed planned talks with Iran on possible agreements concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

In a further escalation, Yemen's Houthis said on Monday they had fired dozens of missiles and drones at a military airbase in Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. The group said it targeted aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition depots in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.

At the Bab el-Mandeb strait, 21 commodity vessels transited on Monday, down from 28 a day earlier.

Before the Iran war began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day, including tankers, gas carriers, bulkers and container ships — accounting for roughly 20% of the world's daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply.