Number of Ships Crossing the Strait Drops to Lowest Level in Over Two Months

The number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest level in over two months, following an escalation in attacks on tankers during the past week.

Data from Kpler showed that only seven cargo ships transited the strait on Tuesday, marking the lowest level since July 23. The number rose to 10 ships on Wednesday, but remained well below the average of more than 20 ships per day recorded on Sunday and Monday.

Kpler analysts Emmanuel Bellostino and Yee Torikat wrote in a note that crude oil transit volumes dropped by about 27% from their wartime peak to 10.1 million barrels per day, equivalent to September’s average and 74% of pre-war levels, according to Reuters.

Before the conflict erupted on February 28, around 125 large commercial vessels transited the strait daily, carrying shipments that accounted for roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.