Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a near halt following recent attacks on oil tankers, according to data released by shipping analytics firm Kpler. The sharp drop in vessel movements comes as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to ease Middle Eastern tensions remain stalled.
Kpler’s latest figures paint a stark picture of the disruption. Only five cargo vessels transited the critical waterway on Saturday, whilst Sunday saw no recorded transits at all. This represents a dramatic collapse compared to the previous weekend, when 31 vessels made the crossing through one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, serves as a vital passage for global oil supplies. The recent tanker attacks have spooked shipping companies and raised insurance costs, prompting many operators to either delay sailings or reroute vessels around the Persian Gulf entirely. The slowdown underscores the fragility of regional security and the potential economic consequences of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The shipping data emerges against the backdrop of frozen negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at defusing the broader conflict in the region. With diplomatic channels apparently inactive, market participants appear increasingly cautious about moving cargo through the strait, reflecting fears that further incidents could occur.
Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.
