Hormuz shipping traffic falls sharply to three vessels amid regional tensions

Yesterday 10:10

By: Azzat Manal

Hormuz shipping traffic falls sharply to three vessels amid regional tensions

Commercial shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Wednesday, with only three commodity vessels recorded crossing the strategic waterway, according to preliminary ship-tracking data reported by Reuters on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The figure marked a significant decline from 12 vessels recorded the previous day and was well below the recent 10-day average of about 17 crossings.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. It is a critical route for the movement of crude oil, petroleum products and other commodities, making changes in shipping activity closely watched by energy markets and governments.

The latest tracking data showed that the three recorded vessels followed different routes through the strait. One empty Supramax dry-bulk carrier entered through the Iranian side, while an empty petroleum-product tanker entered using a route that could not be continuously detected. A Panamax tanker was also recorded leaving the waterway through a similarly undetectable route.

The figures should therefore be treated as preliminary. Ships can travel with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders switched off, meaning that some movements may not appear in publicly monitored tracking data. As a result, the recorded number does not necessarily represent the full volume of vessels physically passing through the waterway.

The decline comes amid heightened military tensions across the Gulf and surrounding areas, which have increased concerns over the safety of commercial shipping. Recent attacks involving ships and energy infrastructure have added to uncertainty for operators, traders and governments monitoring the region’s main maritime routes.

The disruption of traffic through Hormuz also has wider implications because the waterway plays a central role in global energy trade. Any sustained reduction in tanker movements can affect the availability of crude oil and refined products, while concerns over security and insurance costs can influence freight rates and delivery schedules.

Alternative routes have also come under pressure. Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another major maritime gateway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, has declined amid the wider regional conflict. Reuters reported that 21 vessels crossed Bab el-Mandeb on Wednesday, compared with 24 the previous day.

Energy markets have remained highly sensitive to developments around the two waterways. Reuters reported on September 17 that oil prices were falling as additional Saudi crude shipments through Oman helped ease some concerns over supply disruptions, although continued attacks and instability in the region remained a source of uncertainty.

The latest figures follow earlier periods of reduced maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported on September 10 that vessel transits had already fallen to seven on a previous Wednesday, compared with 12 the day before and a 10-day average of 14 at that time. Other tracking data in early September also showed unusually low levels of commercial traffic.

For shipping companies, the situation creates a complex balance between maintaining access to an essential trade route and limiting exposure to security risks. Changes in vessel movements, the use of alternative routes and the increasing number of ships operating without visible AIS signals are likely to remain important indicators for assessing the real impact of the regional crisis on international commerce.

The sharp drop to three recorded crossings on Wednesday therefore provides another indication of the pressure facing maritime trade in and around the Gulf. However, because the figures are based on preliminary tracking information and may exclude vessels operating with their tracking systems disabled, they should not be interpreted as a complete measure of all shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz.