Vessel Traffic in Strait of Hormuz Drops Sharply Amid Escalating Conflict
Commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz dwindled to just three ships on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), down from 12 a day earlier and well below the 10-day average of about 17, preliminary ship-tracking data showed on Thursday (September 17, 2026). The figures exclude any vessels that might have passed through the waterway with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders turned off to avoid detection.
The sudden decline in vessel traffic is attributed to the intensifying war in the Gulf. Saudi Arabian warplanes pounded Yemen and Houthi fighters launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities. The Iran-backed Houthis’ rapid advance in Yemen along the Red Sea coast, attacks on Saudi Arabia, and damage to the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline have widened Tehran’s reach in the conflict and raised risks to global oil supplies.
Shipping Data Reveals Details of Vessel Traffic
According to shipping data from Kpler, an empty Supramax dry bulk ship entered the Strait via the Iranian route, while an empty petroleum product tanker entered through a dark route. A Panamax tanker exited the waterway using a dark route, the data showed. The sharp decline in vessel traffic is a significant departure from the usual busy waters of the Strait.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The escalating conflict in the Gulf has raised concerns about global oil supplies and regional stability. The war in Yemen has been ongoing for several years, with various factions vying for control. The involvement of Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia’s military response have increased tensions in the region, making it challenging to predict future developments.
In the Red Sea, vessel crossings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait eased to 21 on Wednesday (September 16), compared to 24 vessels a day earlier. The decline in traffic is a reflection of the broader regional tensions and the potential risks to global oil supplies.
Original Article: Number of ships transiting Strait of Hormuz falls to three on September 16, data shows — Thehindu