Strait of Hormuz Shipping Crisis Deepens as Traffic Plunges Amid Iran-U.S. Tensions

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped dramatically, with only five vessels—including an Iranian oil products tanker—passing through the strategic waterway in the past 24 hours, according to recent shipping data. This sharp decline highlights escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, following the seizure of two container ships by Iranian forces and continued U.S. naval blockades targeting Iranian ports.

Before the conflict began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz typically handled around 140 ship transits daily. Now, traffic represents only a fraction of that volume, raising serious concerns across the global shipping and energy sectors. The strait is a critical chokepoint for international trade, responsible for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Industry experts emphasize that a stable ceasefire and security guarantees from both Iran and the U.S. are essential for restoring normal shipping operations. Jakob Larsen, chief safety officer at BIMCO, noted that most shipping companies are unwilling to resume regular routes without clear assurances that the strait is safe. Currently, vessels are limited to narrow routes near Iran and Oman, which cannot support typical shipping volumes due to safety constraints.

Among the few ships navigating the strait was the sanctioned Iranian tanker Niki, which departed without a declared destination, raising uncertainty about its route amid the U.S. naval blockade. Meanwhile, isolated movements continue, such as a Hapag-Lloyd container ship crossing the strait and the supertanker Helga arriving at Iraq’s Basra port—only the second vessel to do so since the disruption began.

Recent incidents, including Iran’s use of fast attack boats to seize ships, have intensified fears among maritime operators. Analysts warn that even if the strait remains technically open, it is far from safe. As a result, hundreds of vessels and approximately 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, while insurers and energy companies closely monitor the situation for any signs of de-escalation.