Strait of Hormuz traffic has dropped sharply amid a surge in regional attacks targeting commercial vessels. The focus keyword Strait of Hormuz appears in the early part of this report as shipping disruptions spread across Gulf trade routes.
Energy intelligence firm Kpler said oil tanker movement through the strategic waterway has fallen by around 90 percent since last week. The decline follows a series of missile and projectile strikes linked to escalating conflict between Iran and the United States and its allies.
Regional navies, maritime agencies, and shipping companies have been issuing urgent warnings as vessels continue to come under fire across Omani and Emirati waters.
Strait of Hormuz Sees Tanker Traffic Collapse by 90 Percent
Kpler reported that tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz are now a fraction of normal activity. The firm said some ships continue to cross the waterway although several are doing so under AIS blackouts which are used to conceal their positioning.
Matt Wright, Principal Freight Analyst at Kpler, said several categories of vessels have stopped movement entirely although a limited number of tankers continue east and westbound journeys.
Iranian military officials repeated claims that they fully control the strait which channels around a fifth of global crude supplies. Tehran has also claimed responsibility for attacks on multiple vessels during the ongoing confrontation.
US Strikes and Iranian Response Push Oil Prices Higher
Oil and gas prices surged following large-scale US strikes carried out with Israeli support. Iran has replied with waves of missile and drone attacks aimed at regional states hosting US military assets along with maritime strikes on passing vessels.
The Revolutionary Guards renewed their warning that any ship attempting to pass through the strait could face missile or drone damage.
Oman Navy Rescues Crew of Missile-Hit Container Ship
The Omani navy said it rescued 24 crew members from the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige which was hit by two missiles while transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel caught fire in its engine room after being struck. The crew were transferred to safety and reported in good health. The ship had been sailing from Ghantoot in the UAE toward Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
This attack was the fourth reported maritime incident within 24 hours across Omani and Emirati waters according to maritime security agencies and tracking services.
Series of Attacks in Gulf Waters Heighten Maritime Risks
UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the missile strike on the Safeen Prestige and separately reported another tanker hit by debris from an unknown projectile off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE.
The tanker sustained minor damage to its funnel and all crew were accounted for.
Private security firms and shipping trackers continue issuing alerts as Iranian forces expand operations and warn vessels against entering the waterway.
Global Shipping Companies Halt Gulf Operations
Chinese shipping giant Cosco joined several major operators in suspending Gulf routes including services to the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait.
Cosco said the suspension covers all new bookings through the Strait of Hormuz. The company cited escalating regional conflict and maritime restrictions. Some exceptions remain such as routes to Jeddah, Khor Fakkan, and Fujairah which do not require passage through the strait.
Other global shipping companies, including Maersk and MSC, have also halted operations or diverted ships away from the region.
US Offers Naval Escorts for Tankers
US President Donald Trump said the US Navy is prepared to escort commercial tankers passing through the strait and provide insurance assistance as war risk coverage has been pulled by major insurers worldwide.
Conclusion:
Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate as attacks target vessels across Gulf waters. Oil markets remain unsettled and global carriers are avoiding the region while Iran and the United States widen their military operations.
