SINGAPORE — Shipping data released Wednesday reveals a sharp decline in the number of vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first full day after the United States reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports as both nations continue to exchange strikes across the Gulf.
According to data from Kpler, only seven ships made the crossing on Wednesday, the majority traveling along the Iranian route. That figure represents nearly half the traffic recorded the day before, when 13 vessels passed through.
Tensions have been rising since Iran announced late Saturday that it had shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Ongoing military operations have effectively prevented most shipping from passing through the waterway, which was responsible for carrying approximately one-fifth of all global oil and natural gas shipments before hostilities broke out.
Kpler’s data indicates that on Wednesday, four vessels entered the Gulf traveling empty — among them three small oil tankers and a dry bulk carrier used for grain transport. Three ships that departed through the strait that day were carrying liquefied petroleum gas, coal, and fuel oil, respectively.
The previous day, a Suezmax tanker loaded with 1 million barrels of Saudi crude oil slipped out of the strait with its tracking transponder turned off, according to the same data.
No Very Large Crude Carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers were recorded passing through the strait on Wednesday.
