Increased Oil Tanker Traffic in Hormuz Following U.S.-Iran Agreement
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has surged since the U.S. and Iran reopened the sea lane, with 25 vessels transiting on Thursday, including 20 oil tankers.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping has led to a notable increase in oil tanker traffic, with at least 20 tankers reported to have crossed the strait since the agreement between the U.S. and Iran. According to trade intelligence firm Kpler, tanker transits reached their highest level since early June, although overall traffic remains below prewar levels, which saw over 100 vessels crossing daily.
On Thursday, a total of 25 ships, including cargo and container vessels, transited Hormuz. This uptick in activity follows the U.S. Navy's decision to lift its blockade of Iran, while Tehran has allowed ships to pass through the strait toll-free for a period of 60 days. U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Iran is currently adhering to its commitments under the agreement.
Kpler's commodity research director, Matt Smith, noted that the traffic was evenly distributed, with 13 vessels moving from west to east and 12 in the opposite direction. Among the vessels, three supertankers from Saudi Arabia and one from the United Arab Emirates were observed crossing the strait. These very large crude carriers (VLCCs) are capable of transporting up to 2 million barrels of oil.
Additionally, Kpler analysts reported that Iranian supertankers have resumed broadcasting their positions after a period of silence during the conflict, with five such tankers seen departing the region recently. The analysts indicated that the two-way flow of vessels suggests a gradual return to normal trading patterns for Iranian crude. Notably, 18 of the ships that crossed on Thursday followed the route designated by Iran, while only one adhered to the International Maritime Organization's recommended path.
