Strait of Hormuz Vessel Transits Hover at Low Single Digits | Mariner News

Vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz remained in single digits on Monday, with preliminary ship-tracking data showing approximately five passages. This figure stands significantly below the 10-day average of around 14 vessels. Notably, no liquid tankers were among those navigating the critical waterway, according to Kpler data.

Of the five recorded transits on Monday, four vessels entered the strait and one exited. These included three laden dry bulk carriers and one empty handy-sized gas tanker that accessed the strait via the Iranian route. The complete absence of liquid tankers points to a potential immediate slowdown in crude and product movements through this vital chokepoint.

Further compounding operational considerations, Iranian media reported on Tuesday that a Saudi oil tanker was stopped while transiting the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. This incident, occurring as overall traffic remained suppressed, could indicate increased regional scrutiny or emerging security challenges.

In contrast, activity at the Bab-el Mandeb strait, another crucial maritime chokepoint, saw a three-day high of 27 vessel transits. Kpler data for Bab-el Mandeb showed 14 vessels entering and 13 exiting, with five Aframax- or Suezmax-sized crude tankers among them.

This divergence in traffic patterns between Hormuz and Bab-el Mandeb suggests a potential temporary re-evaluation of routing strategies or a shift in shipping dynamics for specific vessel types and cargoes, possibly influenced by market conditions or perceived operational risks in the Arabian Gulf.