Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed at the beginning of the week following attacks targeting oil tankers, as talks between the United States and Iran aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict stalled.
Vessel-tracking data from Kpler showed that five cargo vessels carrying essential commodities passed through the strait on Saturday, while no vessel crossings were recorded on Sunday, compared with 31 vessels at the beginning of last week.
Kpler data showed that the vessels entering the strait on Saturday included a large empty crude oil tanker whose Automatic Identification System (AIS) was switched off, as well as a large Indian-flagged gas carrier that used the Iranian route.
The data also showed that a small tanker loaded with Iranian fuel oil exited the strait.
Maritime shipping appeared to have nearly come to a standstill after the United Arab Emirates said that three vessels operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) had come under attack while transiting the strait last week.
The United States said it could continue its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely.
Some vessels may pass through without being detected if their transponders are switched off, but the figures remain far below the more than 130 vessels that crossed the Strait of Hormuz daily before the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began in February.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with local media on Saturday that Washington must meet Iran’s conditions regarding the strait before maritime shipping can resume.
Before the war, approximately one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Yemen’s Houthis announced a maritime blockade on July 20, Kpler data showed that 49 cargo vessels passed through at the beginning of the week, down from 55 vessels the previous week. No Saudi oil shipments were detected.
Reuters
