Key facts
- Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased in the past 24 hours.
- 24 commodity vessels, including tankers, transited the Strait on Monday.
- More vessels moved inbound into the Persian Gulf than outbound.
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar continue loading oil and LNG.
- Iran has renewed loadings from Kharg Island.
- U.S. Central Command conducted strikes against Iranian targets in response to attacks on commercial vessels.
Tanker traffic at the Strait of Hormuz rose over the past 24 hours for the first time since late last week, when attacks on commercial vessels prompted many operators to pause transits. A total of 24 commodity vessels, including tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, and bulk carriers, transited the Strait of Hormuz inbound and outbound on Monday, according to Kpler’s ship-tracking data. However, total traffic remains significantly lower than the over 130 vessels that typically transit the Strait daily. More vessels moved inbound into the Persian Gulf than those that exited, suggesting growing optimism among oil producers and shipowners that laden outbound trips will be possible. Traffic had stalled over the weekend amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States, with U.S. Central Command conducting strikes against Iranian targets in response to attacks on two vessels near the Strait. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar continue loading oil and LNG onto vessels at their Persian Gulf ports. Iran has also renewed loadings from Kharg Island after the U.S. waived sanctions on Iranian oil sales until August 21.