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Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz drops after renewed strikes
Just 23 tankers and cargo ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, down from 47 a week earlier, according to Kpler data cited by BBC Business.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply after renewed tit-for-tat strikes involving the US and Iran, according to data cited by BBC Business. The maritime intelligence firm Kpler said 23 tankers and cargo ships crossed the critical waterway on Wednesday, down from 47 in the prior week.
The ships attacked earlier this week were reportedly using a US-recommended route through Omani waters, while Iran has said the only safe passage is via routes through Iranian waters. BBC Business reports that for decades vessels have had free passage through the strait, which carries more than a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, along with fertiliser shipments and other essential goods.
Before the conflict began, an average of 138 ships crossed the strait each day, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational maritime group that includes the US. The outlet also notes that following the latest escalation, Iran effectively widened the disruption by attacking vessels attempting to cross, while the US imposed a blockade on shipping to and from Iranian ports.
BBC Business said a deal signed on 17 June included steps to reopen the strait, with the US agreeing to lift its naval blockade and ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports. After the agreement, traffic initially rose, peaking at 72 ships on 24 June, before turning lower again after the strikes this week.