Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased, with more vessels broadcasting their satellite signals, suggesting growing confidence among shipowners and traders in navigating the vital energy chokepoint. On a recent Tuesday, seven tankers, including two fully-laden non-Iranian supertankers, were either in or had already crossed the strait, all with their locations being broadcast. This uptick in visible traffic points to an easing of concerns compared to previous periods.
Iran has also significantly ramped up its crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, reaching the highest levels since the beginning of the war. Approximately 6 million barrels of oil were on board three US-sanctioned supertankers—Elva, Virgo, and Vigor—that entered the chokepoint. These vessels indicated their destination as waters off Singapore, a known transfer point for Iranian crude often destined for China. This surge in Iranian oil shipments coincides with ongoing peace negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
While attacks in the region previously made some owners wary, leading to a temporary dip in vessels broadcasting their passage, overall visible traffic is still higher than for most of the US-Iran conflict. The US-Iranian interim peace deal has accelerated transits, with some owners who previously avoided the strait now willing to pass through. Following recent attacks, two transit routes have emerged: one through Iranian waters and another near the Omani coast recommended by western navies.
