Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased, and following an incident that left two injured, this decline has intensified. According to data from Kepler, on Saturday and Sunday, the number of vessels passing through this strategic waterway reached 14, compared to 36 ships the previous week, indicating a significant reduction.
Details of the Incident and Crew Status
In this incident, two crew members of the tanker sustained minor injuries, and despite the incident, the tanker continued on its way to the next port. No further details about the incident have been released. These developments occur amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, which are clearly impacting vessel traffic in the region.
Read more: Tehran Municipality announced the implementation of a dedicated route for tankers
Decrease in Vessel Traffic and Its Consequences
Preliminary data shows that on Saturday and Sunday, 11 ships exited the Strait of Hormuz while three entered it. Among the outgoing vessels, seven chose the route designated by Iran. Some ships passed through in darkness to avoid detection or turned off their transponders. Previously, on normal days, about 125 vessels, including tankers and gas carriers, would pass through this strait.
This decrease in traffic could have significant economic impacts on global trade and oil prices. Additionally, these developments coincide with claims by the Revolutionary Guard about downing a U.S. Army MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, which could escalate tensions in the region.
Currently, uncertainty regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz and military actions by Iran and the U.S. has raised further concerns among traders and shipping companies. This situation could lead to a further reduction in vessel traffic as well as increased insurance and transportation costs.
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