Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz stays below 10-day average, data shows

• Only 4 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday (1 entering, 3 leaving), down from 10 the previous day and significantly below the 10-day average of 13 ships
• Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps warned U.S. attacks would 'tighten the lock' on the strait, which carried approximately 20% of global oil consumption before the conflict
• Traffic through Bab el-Mandeb, another Middle East chokepoint, also declined to 18 vessels versus a 10-day average of 24, indicating broader regional maritime disruption

Summary: Shipping Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz Drops Amid US-Iran Escalation

Key Developments:

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell significantly on Tuesday, with only four commodity vessels transiting compared to 10 the previous day and well below the 10-day average of approximately 13 vessels, according to preliminary data from shiptracker Kpler.

Vessel Details:

The four vessels included one very large crude carrier (VLCC), one Panamax tanker, one Kamsarmax carrier, and one intermediate tanker. Of these, one vessel was entering the strait while three were exiting.

Geopolitical Context:

The decline follows a serious escalation in US-Iran tensions, with the United States conducting air strikes against Iran on Tuesday, prompting Iranian retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that US attacks would "tighten the lock" on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that previously carried approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption before the conflict.

Related Maritime Activity:

At the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another crucial Middle Eastern maritime chokepoint, 18 commodity vessels transited on Tuesday (seven entering, 11 exiting), below the 10-day average of 24 ships. Vessels included two Aframax tankers and one Suezmax tanker.

Market Implications:

The reduced traffic through these strategic waterways raises concerns about global energy supply disruptions. The conflict has already contributed to rising energy prices, with reports indicating global bonds selling off sharply as Middle East tensions drive borrowing costs to multi-decade highs and fuel inflation concerns.

*Note: Final vessel counts may change as some ships disable transponders during transit.*