Hormuz traffic plunges
Strait of Hormuz vessel traffic plunges to seven amid heightened regional tensions
Anonymous
Key Points
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The departing very large crude carrier was identified as the *Finland Prosperity*, carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil.
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The other three departures comprised two dry-bulk carriers and a short-range dirty-products tanker; the three arrivals included a dry-bulk carrier, a short-range tanker and a medium-range tanker.
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The 28 vessels recorded at the Bab el-Mandeb included 16 entering and 12 exiting the strait.
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According to the report, the Strait of Hormuz had remained largely closed under Iranian restrictions since Feb. 28; it briefly reopened after a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding took effect on June 18 before closing again amid renewed military escalation.
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The reported confrontation included the U.S. military saying it had destroyed 10 Iranian oil tankers over a week, while Iran said it had targeted U.S. vessels and tankers in the region.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz plummeted to just seven vessels on Wednesday, down from 12 the day before and well below the typical 10-day average of 14, according to Kpler data. One very large crude carrier carrying nearly 2 million barrels departed, while three other ships left and three entered the critical waterway. The decline underscores mounting tensions choking off one of the world's most vital oil corridors, through which roughly 20% of global supplies normally flow.
Some vessels may have gone uncounted because their transponders were off, making the true traffic picture unclear. Meanwhile, the nearby Bab el-Mandeb Strait saw steadier flow with about 28 cargo ships recorded—16 entering and 12 exiting. Reuters noted that Iran maintains the Strait remains under its control, while President Trump insists it stays open for business.
The Finland Prosperity Slips Through With Two Million Barrels
The main departing vessel Wednesday was the *Finland Prosperity*, a very large crude carrier loaded with nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil. It left alongside two dry-bulk carriers and a short-range dirty-products tanker. Three ships arrived: a dry-bulk carrier, a short-range tanker, and a medium-range tanker. This minimal exchange reflects how tightly the waterway has been squeezed by geopolitical conflict.
Hormuz Trapped Between War and Brief Ceasefire
The Strait of Hormuz has remained largely locked down since February 28 when tensions escalated sharply. A temporary reprieve came when a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding took effect on June 18, briefly reopening the corridor. That window slammed shut again as military hostilities resumed, trapping merchant vessels and tankers in limbo. Shipping companies now face impossible choices: wait for passage or reroute around Africa—a journey adding weeks and costs.
U.S. and Iran Clash Over Oil Tanker Attacks
Military operations have directly targeted the oil trade. Reuters reported the U.S. military claimed it destroyed 10 Iranian oil tankers over a single week. Iran responded by saying it targeted U.S. vessels and tankers throughout the region. These attacks have choked confidence among shippers and pushed many to avoid the strait entirely, explaining why only seven vessels dared transit on Wednesday.
One-Fifth of Global Oil Supply Hangs in Balance
The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20% of the world's seaborne crude oil trade. With traffic now at levels not seen since the war began, energy markets face upward pressure on prices. Even though the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea showed near-normal activity, the Hormuz bottleneck threatens to disrupt global energy supplies for months to come. The standoff between Tehran and Washington shows no immediate signs of breaking.
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