Shipping traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises after weekend dip
Ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz increased on Monday, reversing a weekend slowdown linked to recent Iran-U.S. hostilities, as negotiations continue.
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose on Monday, with 40 vessels recorded by maritime tracker Kpler, up from 24 the day before and 39 on Saturday. The increase follows a weekend decline that coincided with renewed strikes between Iran and the United States.
The surge reflects a broader trend that began last week after the United States and Iran announced a cease-fire and a 60-day negotiation period aimed at ending the conflict. On Wednesday, 76 ships passed through the strait, the highest daily total since March 1.
Hundreds of vessels have remained stuck in the Persian Gulf since Iran imposed a blockade after U.S. and Israeli attacks in late February. Iran has directed ships to use a route close to its coastline, while many operators continue to use an alternate passage near Oman, sometimes with assistance from U.S. forces.
Monday’s traffic was roughly evenly divided between the Omani route, typically used for west-to-east voyages, and the Iranian route, mainly for east-to-west trips. However, some ships deactivate their transponders before entering the strait, complicating precise tracking of route choices and overall volume.
Negotiators from the United States and Iran are slated to meet in Qatar on Tuesday for a new round of talks, though significant gaps remain on issues such as Iran’s nuclear program.