Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed sharply over the weekend as rising tensions between the United States and Iran made one of the world’s most important oil routes increasingly uncertain, according to Arab News.
Vessels began avoiding a key transit corridor off Oman after a series of attacks on ships crossing the narrow waterway. According to shipping data firms, only a handful of vessels used the southern Omani route on Sunday, with none recorded leaving the Gulf through that passage. Even by Monday afternoon, traffic remained limited.
The slowdown followed a fresh exchange of strikes between Washington and Tehran, which briefly threatened a fragile agreement reached earlier this month to ease hostilities. Although both sides have since agreed to halt attacks, the sense of risk at sea has not quickly faded.
Iran added to the tension by warning ships not to use routes it has not approved, reinforcing its influence over passage through the strait. In response, some vessels have shifted to routes closer to Iranian waters, while others appear to be delaying journeys altogether.
Despite the drop, ships have not stopped moving entirely. Dozens of vessels still crossed the strait over the weekend, though in significantly lower numbers than the surge seen during recent evacuation efforts. Analysts say the decline is most noticeable in ships leaving the Gulf, suggesting hesitation among crews and operators.
There are also signs that some ships are trying to avoid detection. Several vessels have switched off their tracking signals, making it harder to assess the true scale of traffic and raising further safety concerns.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global energy supplies, carrying a large share of the world’s oil exports. Any disruption, even temporary, can ripple across international markets.
As Iran and Oman begin talks on managing traffic in the strait, and the United States insists the passage must remain open, the situation remains tense. For now, the waters are still moving but more cautiously than before.
