Vessel Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz Drops Sharply but Continues at Reduced Levels After U.S. Blockade

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply after the U.S. blockade took effect last week. Lloyd's List Intelligence recorded 53 transits in the week through July 20, a 66% decline from 157 the prior week.

Tanker and gas carrier crossings fell to 30 from 90 over the same period. Kpler data showed daily crossings averaging more than 20 vessels before July 15. The figure dropped to 16 on July 15 and reached single digits the next day.

Traffic stayed subdued for the remainder of the week. S&P Global recorded 40 vessels transiting between July 17 and July 19, averaging roughly 13 crossings per day. Weekly traffic through July 19 fell almost 50% from the previous week.

Commercial ships made up more than 70% of movements, though only about one-third met maritime restrictions. Bridget Diakun, senior risk and compliance analyst at Lloyd's List Intelligence, said things have slowed down since tensions reignited. She added that every person has a different risk appetite and that tankers are still crossing in and out.

Flows through the strait have dropped to around 15% of pre-war levels, according to Saul Kavonic of MST Marquee. The latest slowdown reverses weeks of gradual normalization that followed a mid-June ceasefire. Shipowners are now reassessing risks after fresh attacks on commercial vessels and Tehran's blanket ban on maritime traffic.