Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic falls amid maritime security tensions

Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has dropped significantly, with recent data from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicating that vessel movement is at only 17 percent of pre-conflict averages. In a recent seven-day period, only 151 ships transited the waterway.

Maritime intelligence suggests a shift in how vessels navigate the contested area. While the United States has issued warnings against certain routes, approximately 69 percent of recently tracked vessels utilized the Iranian-approved lane. This follows Iran's establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an institution requiring vessels to obtain passage permits to transit the strait.

Security remains volatile, with 56 reported incidents of vessel damage since the conflict began on February 28. Recent reports include drone attacks and strikes on vessels belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The Southern Omani route has been identified as a high-risk corridor, accounting for the majority of projectile strike incidents since early July. A US naval blockade remains in effect, prohibiting transit to or from Iranian ports.