Key facts
- Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased by 90% to 95% compared to pre-war levels.
- Remaining oil cargoes are moving under increasingly opaque operating conditions.
- The surge in dark tanker traffic complicates the tracking of oil and gas flows.
- Shipping data analysis indicates increased vessel activity in recent weeks.
- Visibility of actual energy supply reaching buyers has been obscured.
Tanker traffic navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz has experienced a significant decline, falling by 90% to 95% compared to levels seen before the current conflict, according to industry analysts. While some oil cargoes continue to transit the vital waterway, their movement is now characterized by increased opacity. This shift towards 'dark' operations, where vessel tracking is deliberately obscured, makes it substantially more difficult to monitor and verify the actual volume of oil and gas supply reaching global markets.
Recent analysis of shipping data by Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso suggests a ramp-up in vessel activity leaving the region in recent weeks. The lack of transparency surrounding these oil flows complicates market assessments and obscures the true extent of energy supply reaching buyers.