Overview
- Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed only seven commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from 11 the day before and well below a recent 10-day average of 15.
- Kpler’s count for Sept. 10 recorded two Panamax vessels leaving (one with fertilizer, one in ballast) and five vessels entering carrying dry bulk, steel, grain and a tanker loaded with dirty petroleum products.
- The reported totals track only ships broadcasting Automatic Identification System signals and exclude so‑called dark transits when vessels switch transponders off to avoid detection, which can understate actual traffic.
- A U.S. blockade reimposed in mid‑July has effectively halted Iranian crude exports, and Iran‑aligned Houthi forces’ seizure of Mocha and advances along the Red Sea coast are narrowing reroute options for shipping.
- Before the conflict began on Feb. 28 the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day and carried roughly 20% of daily global crude and LNG, so sustained low flows could tighten markets and raise shipping costs.