Tankers are facing the worst-case scenario - Iran intensifies attacks in Hormuz, traffic drops to the lowest level in 3 weeks
The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz has become a “worst-case scenario” for oil tankers, after Iran repeatedly attacked ships over the past week. “We see a decrease in transit volume through the Strait of Hormuz and now the crews of the ships are even more worried than before,” said Dimitris Maniatis, chief executive of Athens-based Mariskas.
At least nine ships have been attacked since July 6 as Iran tries to force ships to navigate the Strait of Hormuz through its territorial waters rather than an alternative route along the coast of Oman protected by the US military, according to data from the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency.
Meanwhile, the US military neutralized an empty tanker after reimposing a naval blockade on Iran, according to the US Central Command. The Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma ignored multiple warnings as it sailed through international waters toward Iran's Kharg Island.
The traditional route through Hormuz, known as the traffic separation scheme, remains too dangerous for ships to use because of the threat of mines. However, US President Donald Trump said Hormuz was open to all ships except those from Iran after the US re-imposed a naval blockade. But ship tracking companies have seen a significant drop in traffic. Hormuz is largely closed, with only a small number of ships passing through with their identification systems turned off, according to Lloyd's analysts' team that monitors the strait.
Traffic has fallen to its lowest level in three weeks, according to data from trade intelligence firm Kpler. Ship transits fell to eight on Thursday, down from 15 on Wednesday. More than 100 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz every day before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
In recent days, the US has launched six rounds of airstrikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks on oil tankers. Tehran has responded with a barrage of missiles targeting US allies in the Persian Gulf. Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen are now threatening to close shipping traffic in the Red Sea, which has become a vital alternative route for Saudi oil exports.
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