US Insists Hormuz Strait Open as Tanker Traffic Slows to Six
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Commodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed on Wednesday, with six tankers transiting on Tuesday, down from nine on Monday and below the 10-day average of 11. A cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile early Tuesday while outbound; the UK Maritime Trade Operations received a report of the incident. The United States insists the strait remains open while Iran claims it is closed, and crude prices extended gains for a fourth day early Wednesday.
Key Facts
- Six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, down from nine on Monday and below the 10-day average of 11.
- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday.
- The United States says the Strait of Hormuz remains open to traffic, while Iran claims the chokepoint is closed.
- One empty crude oil supertanker and two smaller tankers moved into the Gulf on Tuesday via a lane close to Oman, while two medium-range fuel tankers and a post-Panamax vessel exited Hormuz.
- Crude oil prices extended gains for a fourth day early Wednesday amid harder rhetoric from Iran and the United States.
Strait Traffic Slowdown
Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. That compared with nine crossings on Monday and an average of 11 commodity ships per day over the previous 10 days. One empty crude oil supertanker and two smaller tankers moved into the Gulf on Tuesday via a lane close to Oman, while two medium-range fuel tankers and a post-Panamax vessel transited outbound from Hormuz. Operators continued to avoid the area amid heightened security concerns and Iran's insistence on control over the chokepoint.
Cargo Vessel Attack
One cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday local time. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of the incident while the cargo vessel was conducting an outbound transit. Tanker traffic has become more erratic this week, with vessels meandering and U-turning.
Oil Price Response
Crude oil prices extended their gains for a fourth day early on Wednesday. The United States Administration insists the Strait of Hormuz remains open to traffic. Iran remains steadfast in its claim that the chokepoint is closed. Both sides have demonstrated an unwillingness to return to the negotiating table amid harder rhetoric.
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US Insists Hormuz Strait Open as Tanker Traffic Slows to Six
