Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell below recent averages on Tuesday, according to ship-tracking firms, as geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf intensified.
Kpler reported just four tanker crossings on Tuesday, down from a ten-day average of 13. Windward, another tracking service, recorded four tankers entering the strait, two of which were operating in "dark mode"—a practice where vessels disable their transponders. Windward also noted three tankers exiting the strait, one of which was also in dark mode.
The reduced traffic follows reports of attacks on two tankers in the region, attributed to Iran in response to U.S. military actions over the weekend. Oil prices surged in the aftermath, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $96 per barrel and WTI trading above $90 per barrel.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that 17 million barrels of crude passed through the strait on Monday alone, though analysts caution that such figures may be overstated. ING’s commodity team noted that ship-tracking estimates often differ significantly from reported flows, emphasizing the need to assess longer-term averages rather than single-day data.
The latest developments underscore the vulnerability of global oil supply routes amid heightened regional instability. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint, with disruptions potentially amplifying price volatility in energy markets.
Tensions escalated further as Iranian and U.S. officials exchanged warnings. Iranian military command stated that continued U.S. actions in the region would provoke "heavier, more widespread, and devastating responses," while former U.S. President Donald Trump, quoted by Reuters, asserted that Iran’s economy was collapsing and called for domestic unrest.
Analysts warn that the combination of reduced tanker traffic and geopolitical risks could heighten supply concerns, even as some estimates suggest Persian Gulf oil flows remain above pre-conflict levels when accounting for alternative routes.
