Strait of hormuz:<Text>

A total of 220 vessels transited the Iranian-controlled Strait of Hormuz in March, with liquid tankers accounting for more than half of all crossings, according to data shared by MarineTraffic and Kpler on Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, MarineTraffic stated on US social media company X that 111 of the crossings, or 51% of the monthly total, were made by liquid tankers. This was followed by 82 dry bulk vessels, representing 37% of the total, and 27 LPG carriers, which made up 12%. Notably, no LNG crossings were recorded during the month, as per the data.

Traffic through the strategic waterway remained heavily tilted toward west-to-east movements out of the Gulf, totaling 149 crossings or 68% of the monthly volume. In contrast, east-to-west transits into the Gulf stood at 71, or 32%, highlighting an uneven traffic flow through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

The figures come amid heightened scrutiny over shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, where vessel movements have stayed well below normal levels since the start of the conflict involving Iran on February 28. Tehran has maintained effective control of the strait, a critical waterway for energy supplies to Asian nations, allowing vessels of nations Iran calls 'friendly countries.'

Recent reports indicate that traffic has begun to recover gradually, although transit volumes remain at a fraction of pre-war levels.