Traffic through Strait of Hormuz slows after attack on ship

• Tanker traffic dropped to 13 transits on Friday from 27 on Wednesday, while overall June 24 traffic of 62 vessels represented only 53% of year-ago levels
• At least four tankers, including three very large crude carriers capable of hauling 2 million barrels each, entered the Gulf to load oil despite security concerns
• Iran's deputy foreign minister stated safe passage cannot be guaranteed without coordination with Tehran, highlighting ongoing geopolitical risks to the critical waterway

Summary: Traffic through Strait of Hormuz Slows After Ship Attack

Key Development:

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined significantly on Friday, June 26, 2026, following an attack on a Taiwanese-operated Evergreen Marine vessel near Oman. The ship was hit by an "unknown object," though U.S. officials indicated Iran was responsible.

Traffic Impact:

• Tanker transits dropped to 13 on Friday from 24 on Thursday and 27 on Wednesday
• Overall vessel traffic reached 62 transits on June 24—the highest since conflict began but only 53% of pre-conflict levels
• Normal pre-conflict traffic averaged approximately 125 ships daily
• The U.N. shipping agency temporarily suspended operations and evacuated thousands of seafarers from the Gulf region

Oil Market Response:

Despite the disruption, at least four tankers, including three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) capable of carrying 2 million barrels each, entered the Gulf to load oil. Two additional supertankers entered to load Iranian oil, while one tanker exited with 2 million barrels.

Crude oil prices headed for steep weekly losses on easing supply concerns, with top exporter Saudi Arabia resuming operations in the Gulf, increasing potential supply.

Geopolitical Context:

The incident follows a U.S.-Tehran ceasefire deal after months of disruption from the Iran war, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran's deputy foreign minister stated safe passage requires coordination with Tehran.

Industry Impact:

BIMCO's chief safety officer called the attack "a setback" for plans to evacuate ships and resume normal transits, emphasizing the need for clear U.S.-Iran agreements on maritime traffic resumption.