Renewed military exchanges and security concerns reduce vessel movements through critical energy corridor
The number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest level in five weeks on Sunday as renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran, coupled with attacks on commercial shipping, heightened security concerns across one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
According to ship-tracking data from Kpler, only six vessels passed through the strategic waterway during the day, marking the lowest daily traffic recorded in more than a month.
Among the vessels leaving the Gulf were the Very Large Crude Carrier Humanity, carrying approximately two million barrels of Iranian crude oil, and the tanker Capetan Andreas, transporting around 500,000 barrels of refined Kuwaiti petroleum products. Meanwhile, three empty tankers entered the Gulf to load cargo, with most vessels reportedly switching off their tracking transponders while crossing the strait.
Energy shipments face renewed uncertainty
In addition, ship-tracking data showed no liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers entering the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. One tanker operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company successfully exited the waterway between July 10 and July 12 and is currently en route to Dahej Port in India.
The decline in vessel movements reflects growing concerns among shipping operators as military tensions continue to disrupt commercial navigation through the vital energy corridor.
Military exchanges intensify
Meanwhile, US Central Command confirmed that American forces carried out another round of precision strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping. However, Iranian authorities maintained that the waterway had been closed after a vessel allegedly used an unauthorized route and was subsequently struck.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Monday that its naval forces stopped two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz overnight by disabling their onboard systems. Iranian officials did not identify the ships involved, and no independent confirmation of the claim was immediately available.
