Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz drops to seven vessels in one day

Commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell to seven vessels on Thursday, September 10, according to preliminary data from Kpler cited by Reuters on Friday. This level remains significantly below the average of 15 passages observed over the previous ten days, highlighting the ongoing disruptions on one of the world’s key energy routes.

Among the seven vessels recorded, two Panamax ships departed the strait, one carrying fertilizers and the other sailing in ballast. Five vessels entered the Gulf with various dry or liquid cargoes. However, this count may underestimate actual traffic, as some ships could disable their automatic identification systems.

Before the war, approximately 125 large commercial vessels, including oil tankers and LNG carriers, crossed the strait daily, according to Reuters. Hormuz remains a strategic passage for a significant portion of the crude oil and liquefied natural gas traded globally, meaning any reduction in traffic could potentially impact energy prices and supply chains.

LNG transport, however, shows some signs of sporadic recovery. LNG carriers linked to QatarEnergy, including Al Marrouna, Al Ghashamiya, and Al Daayen, have been observed in the area. Notably, Al Marrouna made the first known delivery of LNG to Pakistan since July, according to data reported by Reuters.

An energy route still under significant pressure

The decline in traffic comes as oil prices remain high. Brent crude surpassed $108 per barrel on Friday morning, its highest level since May, amid ongoing concerns regarding Middle Eastern supplies. The Associated Press also notes that disruptions around Hormuz continue to weigh on Asian markets and inflation expectations.

In July, the International Monetary Fund reminded that the effective closure of the strait represented the most significant oil shock in decades, interrupting a substantial portion of global crude and refined product flows. The institution warned that the safety margins constituted by stocks, available production capacities, and cargo diversions were diminishing.

Since May, the U.S. military command in the Middle East has been supporting an operation to escort merchant vessels wishing to transit the strait. U.S. Central Command describes Hormuz as an essential corridor for international trade, through which a major share of oil transported by sea, as well as significant volumes of fuels and fertilizers, pass.

The contrast remains stark with Bab el-Mandeb, another strategic passage in the region: 26 vessels carrying raw materials crossed it on September 10, a level deemed stable compared to recent days, according to traffic data cited by Reuters.