Hormuz traffic slows after Iran threatens retaliation for US attacks

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed at the beginning of the week following Iran's threat to retaliate for potential US attacks. According to Kpler data, the number of commodity vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to seven on Monday, down from eight the previous day. Iran had warned that energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf, including US oil and gas assets, was at risk.

Goldman Sachs has revised its crude oil price predictions for December 2026 and 2027, anticipating ongoing shipping disruptions in the Middle East. The financial firm estimates an increase in shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another vital waterway for commodity vessels. On Monday, 29 commodity vessels traversed the Bab el-Mandeb, an increase from 17 vessels the day prior.

It is noteworthy that some vessels may be navigating both straits with their transponders turned off, a factor not included in the counts provided by Kpler data.