Commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply over the weekend, dropping to just five ships after a vessel was struck while transiting the waterway on Saturday.
The incident coincided with a fresh exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran, further straining relations and raising immediate concerns about the security of one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
The sharp contraction in movement followed Tehran's accusation that the US was responsible for the attack, prompting Iran to announce it had once again closed the strategic waterway.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing geopolitical standoff, with direct implications for global oil supplies and shipping insurance premiums.
Handelsavisen's archive context confirms that commercial vessel traffic had already been under pressure, but the weekend's events represent a new low in transit volume.
The near-standstill in the Strait of Hormuz underscores the fragility of global trade routes in the face of escalating military tensions.