Only four commercial vessels crossed Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours

WASHINGTON: Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited on Tuesday, with ship-tracking data compiled by Anadolu showing that only four vessels moved through the strategic waterway in both directions over the previous 24 hours as of 0900 GMT.

The data showed two vessels travelling from east to west and two from west to east near the strait. The east-to-west movements involved Muara and Aurora, which was listed in the data as Shimokita Maru. Muara, a container ship, was shown with Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates as its destination and was listed as moored there. Aurora was identified as a limestone carrier bound for Umm Qasr, Iraq, and was shown in transit.

In the opposite direction, the west-to-east traffic included Nooh Gas, listed in the data as Luma, and Pasargad 11. Nooh Gas was identified as an LPG tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas and heading to Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. It was shown as laden and in transit. Pasargad 11, a general cargo vessel, was listed with Port Rashid in the United Arab Emirates as its destination.

Among the vessels identified in the data, Nooh Gas is an LPG tanker sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, according to US Treasury records.

Security concerns remain high

The small number of vessel movements reflected continued caution around the strait, which is one of the world’s most important routes for crude oil, refined petroleum products and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The latest shipping activity came as military operations around the Strait of Hormuz intensified under Washington’s Project Freedom initiative, which is aimed at guiding stranded vessels through the contested passage.

Danish shipping company Maersk said one of its US-flagged commercial vessels, Alliance Fairfax, left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz under US military protection on May 4. The company said the transit was completed without incident and that all crew members were safe.

The passage followed the movement of two US Navy destroyers, USS Truxtun and USS Mason, through the strait into the Persian Gulf after they had repelled Iranian missiles, drones and small boats, according to CBS News, which cited US defence officials.

Iranian media also reported on Tuesday that five civilians were killed when US forces targeted two small cargo boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a military source, said the boats had been carrying people’s cargo from Khasab in Oman toward Iran, challenging Washington’s account that the target had been Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping.

The differing versions highlighted the heightened risks facing commercial shipping in and around the strait.

Background to the standoff

Regional tensions have risen since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliation by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks held in Islamabad did not produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.

Since April 13, the United States has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the escalation, Tehran has said it is reviewing Washington’s response to its latest 14-point proposal, leaving open the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough.