Oil tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz remained at critically low levels over the weekend, shipping data indicates, as military hostilities between the United States and Iran intensified.
The near-standstill in vessel movements marks a continuation of the severe disruption that has plagued the world’s most vital energy chokepoint, with maritime operators effectively halting operations due to direct targeting of shipping traffic by both sides.
The operational paralysis stems from conflicting enforcement actions: the U.S. has declared a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has stated it is targeting vessels it claims are violating its navigation rules within the Strait.
This dual-threat environment has created an untenable risk profile for commercial shipping, leading to a sharp contraction in throughput that threatens to tighten global oil supplies further.
In parallel, floating storage levels for liquefied natural gas (LNG) have risen, signaling that buyers are delaying cargo pickups amid the uncertainty.
This accumulation reflects broader market caution as traders assess the duration and severity of the supply disruption.