Hormuz: Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz experienced a significant decline between July 10 and 12, as shipping operators shifted to defensive routing patterns due to renewed tensions between the United States and Iran. This change comes despite there being no new confirmed attacks since June 27.
According to Anadolu Agency, the traffic through this critical waterway dropped by around 52% compared to the previous week, as reported by MarineTraffic on the social media platform X. The shift in traffic patterns saw an increased use of Iranian and 'Dark' routes, with a notable reduction in activity along the International Maritime Organization (IMO) corridor and Omani routes. This shift indicates that shipowners and operators are opting for routes perceived as safer, even if less direct, amid ongoing uncertainty.
The decline in traffic followed a series of renewed attacks against commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IMO's list of confirmed incidents, the GFS Galaxy was damaged on July 11, nine nautical miles east of Oman, resulting in one seafarer missing. Additionally, the Cyprus Prosperity sustained damage east of Oman's Musandam Peninsula on July 7, and the Wedyan and Al Rekayyat were damaged in separate incidents near the United Arab Emirates and Oman on July 6. Although no pollution or injuries were reported in these incidents, they have raised concerns about the safety of navigating through this region.
On July 8, the IMO urged shipowners and operators to avoid unnecessary risks, noting that several ships had been attacked in the preceding days. The organization highlighted that hundreds of vessels, carrying approximately 6,000 seafarers, remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the conflict.
These attacks have further escalated military tensions between Washington and Tehran. The United States has responded with strikes against Iranian missile, drone, radar, and naval assets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks on countries hosting US forces, reiterating its claim of control over the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy transit chokepoint, linking oil and gas producers in the Gulf to global markets. MarineTraffic emphasized that the ongoing US-Iran tensions and warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continue to undermine confidence, prompting a cautious approach among commercial shipping operators.