Amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, the number of tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest level.
Sea-news.az reports that, according to vessel-tracking data from the Belgium-based firm Kpler, only two tankers passed through the strait on Monday, marking the lowest daily crossing figure since the beginning of the conflict.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have persisted since February 28, are exerting mounting pressure on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. With Iran restricting commercial vessels from utilizing the strait, tanker traffic has slowed dramatically across one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
According to Kpler, a few liquefied gas and crude oil tankers entered the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman earlier today.
Data from the UK-based ship-tracking firm Vortexa indicates that daily oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz fell to 5 million barrels yesterday. In the seven days leading up to Sunday, the daily average stood at approximately 6 to 7 million barrels.
Before the outbreak of the U.S./Israel-Iran war, roughly 130 commercial vessels traversed the Strait of Hormuz daily. Commercial vessel movements have now plunged by more than 95 percent compared to pre-war levels.
Prior to the Middle East conflict, approximately one-fifth of global crude oil, petroleum product, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
