Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falls to a minimum, with only 12 vessels passing over the weekend

Only 12 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and Sunday, another sign of shrinking maritime traffic amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf and stalled US-Iran talks aimed at ending the war.

The figure recorded over the weekend was significantly lower than the previous weekend, when 35 passages were recorded. Preliminary vessel-tracking data reviewed by Reuters show that traffic has fallen sharply within a week.

The low pace of shipping has also been observed on other recent days. During this period, only three or four commercial vessels a day were recorded, a level far below that seen before the conflict began.

However, figures based on tracking systems do not guarantee a complete picture of movements through this maritime corridor.

Some commercial vessels are operating in the area with AIS, the Automatic Identification System, switched off. The system transmits data via satellite on a vessel’s position, direction and identity.

Operators can deactivate AIS to reduce the likelihood of their vessels being detected in an area where risks to navigation have increased significantly. As a result, vessels with their transponders switched off are not fully reflected in traditional tracking data.

The reduction in maritime traffic comes as relations between Washington and Tehran remain tense, while efforts to resume negotiations aimed at ending the conflict have produced no significant progress.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered a major artery for global energy supplies. Before the war began, around one-fifth of the oil and gas supplied worldwide passed through the strait, meaning that any disruption to traffic could directly affect international energy markets.

The consequences of the crisis have also been felt by the region’s largest producers. QatarEnergy has said that difficulties in Hormuz could delay plans to expand investment, as the transport of equipment has been disrupted and LNG production and exports remain limited.

The continued decline in the number of passages underscores the sensitivity of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to any new military or diplomatic developments in the region.