Shipping traffic through Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits shows fluctuations

Shipping data from Kpler indicates a decline in vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, only three vessels carrying commodities passed through the strait, a decrease from four vessels the previous day and significantly below the ten-day moving average of approximately 15 vessels. Among these three ships was a Panamax-class tanker. Notably, an LNG tanker reappeared within the strait on Tuesday after last being sighted outside the waterway on September 19.

In the Bab al-Mandab Strait, 22 vessels carrying commodities passed through on Tuesday. This includes 14 ships heading toward the Red Sea and eight toward the Gulf of Aden. The fleet comprised various vessel types, including five Panamax, six Supramax, four Aframax, one Suezmax, and one Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). This volume is slightly lower than the ten-day average of roughly 26 vessels.

These maritime movements occur amid heightened geopolitical tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump issued warnings regarding potential military action against Iran if a peace agreement is not reached, though he noted the possibility of a near-term deal amid diplomatic efforts at the United Nations.