Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined further, exacerbating concerns over the stability of global energy supply routes.
The New York Times reports that the erosion in transit volumes is coinciding with a rise in crude oil prices, signaling that market participants are repricing the risk of sustained disruption in the world's most vital oil corridor.
Brent crude prices climbed in the session as the data on falling vessel movements undermined earlier optimism.
The price action marks a reversal from recent days, when global crude benchmarks had extended declines toward pre-war levels following reports that stranded tankers were beginning to exit the strait.
That brief period of relief, linked to an initial accord aimed at de-escalating tensions, appears to have lost momentum as actual shipping activity continues to contract.
The drop in traffic follows a period where vessel transits through the strait fell to low levels between July 10 and 12.