Hormuz ship traffic falls to nine as Cyprus calls for free navigation

Nicosia, Cyprus. Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to nine vessels this week as Cyprus joined dozens of countries calling for free navigation through the shipping route.

Crossings fall sharply

Preliminary Kpler data published on Friday showed that eight vessels left the strait and one entered, down from 14 crossings a day earlier. The 10-day average was 18 crossings. Vessels travelling with their Automatic Identification System transponders switched off may not appear in the figures.

Thursday’s outbound traffic included a ballast very large gas carrier and a fully laden very large crude carrier, as well as Panamax and Supramax ships and short- and medium-range tankers. The only recorded inbound vessel was a Handymax dry bulk carrier.

Before fighting involving Iran began on February 28, the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day, including tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and container ships. The route carries around 20 per cent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply.

Saudi crude shipments continue

Oil continues to move through the strait despite the decline in vessel numbers. Saudi Arabia has increased exports through Hormuz after attacks disrupted its East-West Pipeline and reduced the scope for shipments through the Red Sea.

Reuters reported this week that Saudi crude flows through Hormuz had risen to around 2.9 million barrels per day, from about 700,000 barrels per day in August. The shift is becoming increasingly costly.