Ship Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz Reaches Highest Level in Recent Weeks - Bloomberg
According to Bloomberg, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has surged over the weekend, marking the highest two-day count since early March.
Over the weekend, a total of 21 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, representing the highest two-day figure since early March when the intensity of traffic began to decline. Of these ships, 13 headed towards the Arabian Sea, indicating a significant uptick in maritime activity in this crucial waterway.
The majority of the vessels were owned by Iran, but notably, an oil tanker carrying Iraqi oil also made its way through the strait on Sunday, following Iran's announcement that it would make an exception for Iraq. Additionally, India, which has recently negotiated the passage of several vessels and has even accepted Iranian liquefied gas for the first time in many years, facilitated the transit of eight of its tankers carrying this fuel.
Despite this increase, the current number of vessels still represents only a fraction of the pre-war levels, when approximately 135 ships passed through the strait daily. Last week, two container ships linked to China successfully navigated the strait on their second attempt, alongside two vessels associated with Japan.
Moreover, ships connected to China, Turkey, Greece, and Thailand also passed through the strategic waterway. The Iranian government is currently promoting legislation that would regulate its control over the strait and the fees for passage, which shipowners claim formalizes a payment system that has been in effect for several weeks.
Tehran has stated that it will fully unblock the operations of the Strait of Hormuz only when the fees it charges vessels for transit can cover military losses. As of now, most vessels granted permission to pass have chosen a route that appears to be directed by Tehran, navigating close to the Iranian coastline. However, an increasing number of vessels have begun opting for a path along the opposite shore.
Oman, which shares waters in the strait, confirmed on Sunday that it has engaged in negotiations with Iran to regulate the movement of its ships. This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly regarding the security of maritime routes.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened Iran over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a 'deadline' for its reopening. The ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the region continue to influence shipping routes and the flow of oil, making the Strait of Hormuz a focal point of international maritime trade.
The situation remains fluid, and stakeholders in the shipping industry are closely monitoring developments as they navigate the complexities of operating in these waters.