Few Vessels Cross Strait of Hormuz as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Deadlocked

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 10 vessels per day in recent days, according to Reuters analysis of ship tracking data. Before the conflict began on February 28, daily passages through the strait typically ranged between 125 and 140.

A Chinese-flagged container ship, Zhong Gu Nan Chang, crossed the strait in the past 24 hours, satellite analysis from SynMax showed. Most of the other vessels making the passage were dry bulk and container ships entering the Gulf, with only one Iran-linked tanker crossing into the Gulf of Oman, according to separate Kpler data.

U.S. and Iran over reopening the waterway have not produced a breakthrough. U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and Iran's control of the strait continue to complicate efforts.

20,000 seafarers remain stranded inside the Gulf on hundreds of ships due to the conflict. Crude oil tankers still make up only a small share of the limited traffic moving through the strait. Ship broker Fearnleys stated this week that previous indications of movement toward a deal had not materialized.

The broker noted that opening the waterways remains essential for both the shipping industry and the global economy.