Gulf shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz falls to six vessels

Shipping traffic navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz saw a sharp decline on Monday, with only six vessels transiting the waterway, according to shipping data.

This figure represents a notable drop from the recent 10-day average, which stood at approximately 11 vessels per day. The reduction in maritime activity through this vital chokepoint coincides with fading optimism for a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

Data from Kpler indicated that on Monday, four commodity vessels, including two empty oil product tankers, entered the strait. Two other vessels, a small tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas and another with residual fuels, exited the waterway. In stark contrast, during pre-war periods, the Strait of Hormuz typically saw between 130 to 140 ships pass through daily.

Meanwhile, shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait on the Red Sea remained relatively stable, with 25 vessels transiting on Monday, closely mirroring the 10-day average of nearly 24 ships. The U.S. and Iran have recently exchanged demands regarding a potential peace deal, with President Donald Trump outlining U.S. conditions that include compensation for war-related damages, a response to Iran's own demands for sanctions relief.