Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic plunges amid new wave of Houthi attacks
Only six vessels crossed the strategic waterway Monday as escalating maritime attacks disrupted Middle Eastern energy exports
TEHRAN (AA) – Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has plunged to its lowest level in nearly three months as intensified Houthi attacks disrupt maritime routes and energy exports across the Middle East.
The latest disruptions follow the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran’s effective closure of the strategic waterway and a subsequent US naval blockade.
At least 14 attacks, attempted strikes and obstruction incidents were recorded in and around the Strait of Hormuz between Oct. 5 and 12, including six attacks on Monday alone, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations and maritime security sources.
Only six commercial vessels passed through the strait Monday, the lowest number since July 22. Traffic had already declined from 32 vessels on Oct. 8 to 24 on Oct. 9, 11 on Oct. 10 and 12 on Oct. 11.
The escalating insecurity has sharply reduced regional energy shipments.
According to shipping data provider Kpler, Middle Eastern crude oil, petroleum and liquid chemical exports, including shipments from the Gulf of Oman and Red Sea, fell from 21.1 million barrels per day on Oct. 8 to 6.7 million on Oct. 11.
Shipments recovered slightly to 10.4 million barrels Monday before declining again to 8.3 million Tuesday.
The weekly average stood at 17 million barrels per day, significantly below the pre-war level of approximately 23.3 million barrels.
Meanwhile, Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Vessel traffic through the corridor also fluctuated, with 35 ships passing through on Oct. 8, 39 on Oct. 10, 46 on Oct. 11 and 32 on Monday.
The Houthis’ reported attempts to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia have heightened concerns about further disruptions to international trade.
Analysts warn that simultaneous disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb could further strain global energy supplies and destabilize markets.
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