Hormuz Strait traffic shows signs of recovery despite Iran's renewed closure threats

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is showing gradual signs of recovery despite Iran's threats to close it again, Reuters reported Monday.

According to analysis by Kpler, a vessel-tracking and commodities data firm, four liquefied natural gas tankers operated by Qatar crossed the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf that day — the first such transits since the United States and Israel went to war with Iran, Reuters said.

Two very large crude carriers capable of loading up to 4 million barrels of oil also entered the Persian Gulf, with one listing Iraq's port of Basra as its destination.

According to vessel-tracking site MarineTraffic, two smaller tankers carrying a combined total of fewer than 2 million barrels of crude also exited the Strait of Hormuz and headed into the Gulf of Oman.

In a report released that day, shipbroker Clarksons said daily transit numbers had not yet returned to the pre-conflict level of 125 crossings but added that "the trend is positive."

Shipping industry sources estimate the actual number of vessels transiting the strait is likely higher, as some tankers may be moving with their Automatic Identification System transponders switched off.

Kpler data showed that five tankers crossed the strait the previous day, down from 26 observed on Saturday. Among the five were vessels carrying 2 million barrels each of Saudi crude oil and fuel oil, with one bound for Japan.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, led by the US Navy, said in a notice issued Monday that "vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has begun to increase," with merchant ships continuing to sail south either through Omani territorial waters or via the northern route controlled by Iran.