Unusual Slowdown in the Strait of Hormuz: Large Oil and Gas Tankers Disappear
Data from maritime monitoring firm Kpler indicates a 50% drop in cargo ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The figures exclude very large crude carriers (VLCC) and LNG tankers. A significant decline in vessel traffic was also recorded in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Only seven cargo ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, compared to 14 the previous day. This development occurs against a backdrop of rising concerns regarding maritime security in the Middle East and the ongoing stalemate in talks between the USA and Iran, according to data from maritime monitoring company Kpler published on Friday.
Of the seven vessels, four entered the strait while three exited. Prior to the outbreak of the war in February, nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Notably, no very large crude carriers (VLCC) or LNG tankers were among the vessels passing through the strait on Thursday. However, a very large gas carrier transporting propane and butane did exit the strait via the Iranian route.
Slowdown in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Simultaneously, a decrease in vessel traffic was recorded in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait compared to the two preceding days.
According to Kpler, 23 cargo ships passed through the strait, down from 34 on each of the two previous days. 16 ships entered the strait, and seven exited. Among the seven exiting vessels were two Suezmax-type oil tankers, the 'Stoic Warrior' and the 'Dokos', which were transporting crude oil to Vietnam and India, respectively. As with the Strait of Hormuz, no VLCCs or LNG tankers passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Thursday.
It is important to note that these figures do not include vessels that passed through the routes with their identification transponders turned off.
Earlier this week, Kpler data published by CNN showed that more than 80% of vessels crossing the area over the past two weeks chose the Omani route under the protection of the US Navy. This sharp shift prevents Tehran from collecting transit fees and weakens its ability to control the strategic maritime route.
The data marks a dramatic change from the situation a month ago, when there was almost no traffic on the Omani route—a path approved by the UN and opposed by Iran. Despite Tehran's previous attacks on dozens of vessels attempting to pass along the northern coast of Oman, most ships now ignore its demands, relying instead on the protection provided by US Navy forces.
The increasing use of the Omani route also undermines Iran's ability to collect passage fees, as it did in the spring. Although the memorandum of understanding with the USA expired this week, theoretically allowing for the resumption of fees, Kpler reports that Iran is unable to enforce this in practice.
