Oil Tanker Traffic Halts in Strait of Hormuz for Second Consecutive Day

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has ceased for a second consecutive day, according to navigation data reported by Kepler on Saturday. No oil tankers have departed the strategic waterway during this period.

Kepler's shipping data indicated that only three vessels passed through the strait on Thursday, marking the lowest daily transit since May. Most ships either halted their journeys or returned to their points of origin following recent Iranian attacks on vessels and the resumption of a U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran-related shipping.

On Friday, Kepler posted an update on the X platform reporting a sharp decline in vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz by July 16, with confirmed operations dropping to just eight ships—the lowest level recorded in three weeks.

The data showed that seven of the eight vessels took the Iranian route, signaling a concentration of navigation in riskier passages as operators reassess security conditions, crew safety, and increased insurance risks. The activity was evenly split between low-risk ships and those under sanctions, with no crossings recorded by "shadow fleet" vessels.

The report highlighted a recently verified material incident involving the tanker Belma, coinciding with ongoing enforcement of sanctions, which has amplified market uncertainty. The data concluded that despite continuous regional mediation efforts, military developments have become the primary factor influencing shipping companies' operational decisions, outweighing any diplomatic progress.

Security conditions around the Strait of Hormuz have deteriorated since the attacks on July 7. The United States launched multiple strikes against Iranian military targets, claiming these actions aimed to weaken Tehran's ability to threaten commercial navigation. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks on U.S. military facilities and infrastructure in several Gulf countries, escalating concerns about the safety of passage through the strait.

Iran has emphasized the need to identify and monitor foreign vessels by Iranian forces before they transit the Strait of Hormuz, stating that restrictions on commercial navigation will remain until security improves. The United States has denied these claims, affirming that the strait remains open for legitimate international navigation and that U.S. forces will continue to protect commercial shipping.

The renewed escalation of hostilities between the United States and Iran has led to an almost complete halt in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil and gas shipping route, contributing to a rise in global energy prices.