Shipping slows through Strait of Hormuz after tanker attacks, data shows

The Strait of Hormuz experienced a significant slowdown in shipping traffic over the weekend, according to data released on Monday. This decline followed a series of attacks on tankers in the region. Kpler data revealed that only five commodity vessels successfully passed through the strait on Saturday, compared to 31 during the previous weekend.

The attacks came amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, with U.S.-Iran talks aimed at resolving the conflict seemingly at an impasse. The United Arab Emirates had reported that three vessels operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked while in transit, leading to concerns about the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

While some ships may have managed to pass undetected, the number of vessels is far below the pre-war average of over 130 ships per day. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that Washington must meet Iran's conditions regarding the strait for shipping to resume. The Strait of Hormuz, which handles a fifth of the world's shipments of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, saw a notable drop in traffic, particularly in the Bab el-Mandeb strait where Yemeni Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.