Strait of Hormuz Ship Traffic Decline as Iran Continues to Boost Channel Control

BlockBeats News, July 5th. According to reports from the institution, on Sunday, the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Oman coast route significantly decreased. The day before, several vessels departing from the strait suddenly made a U-turn, highlighting Iran's continued efforts to strengthen its control over this strategic waterway. A laden oil tanker that turned back on Saturday appears to have made another attempt to pass through and has now passed the northernmost tip of the Musandam Peninsula in Oman.

Earlier, another laden oil tanker also transited along the same route and publicly declared its intention to sail, and is currently broadcasting its position in the Gulf of Oman. Some vessels have chosen to conduct a "dark transit" through the strait. A Suezmax crude oil tanker, after its last broadcast position in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, appeared in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday. Between Friday and Saturday, at least 8 vessels made sudden U-turns while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Oman route. Four of them subsequently changed course to sail northwards, exiting the strait through the Iranian side channel.

There is currently no official explanation for these sudden U-turns by these vessels. However, Iran has previously stated multiple times that vessels must transit the Strait of Hormuz through Iran's designated and authorized channels. According to Kpler data, a total of 19 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, but only 1 vessel openly indicated its intention to sail along the Oman coast route into the strait, while the number of vessels transiting along that route on Friday was 13. The above statistics only cover observable sailing activities.