Shipping traffic at key Gulf waterways little changed on uncertain peace talks

Shipping traffic through the vital Gulf waterways of Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz showed little change at the beginning of the week, with data indicating a slight decrease in transits through Hormuz. Six vessels, including three tankers and three bulk carriers, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, down from seven the previous day, according to Kpler shipping data.

In the Bab el-Mandeb strait, twenty vessels, comprising 12 tankers and eight bulk carriers, transited on Monday, remaining steady from the prior day. Of these, 12 were exits and eight were entries, with most vessels showing active transponders.

The ambiguity surrounding progress in talks between the United States and Iran has contributed to cautious sentiment among shippers. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman stated Monday that no negotiations with the U.S. were underway and no meetings were scheduled. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier statement that he was holding off on new attacks against Iran pending ongoing talks aimed at ending their conflict and resolving disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the diplomatic uncertainty, traffic levels have remained largely stable. However, the persistent risk of vessel attacks has prompted some Saudi-flagged supertankers to alter their routes, diverting to southern Africa to avoid threats by Yemen's Houthi movement targeting Saudi shipping in the Gulf of Aden.

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no negotiations with the US were taking place and no meetings were scheduled