Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased by nearly 400% over the past two weeks, with nearly 200 ships navigating the waterway last week, up from 150 the previous week and just 40 two weeks earlier, according to data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center. This surge brings total traffic to about 20% of pre-war levels, which previously accounted for roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil.
The increase in vessel activity comes as more than 80% of liquid cargoes have taken the Omani route, a US-backed channel that Iran rejects, or have gone 'dark', likely using the same corridor, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude oil analysis at Kpler, stated that it appears Iran has partially lost control of the strait.
In the past week, 103 ships entered and 89 exited the strait, marking a 27% increase from the previous week. This is a significant rise compared to two weeks ago, when only 18 ships entered and 21 exited. Most vessels that passed through were US-flagged allies from Panama and Liberia, with about half being oil tankers.
Over the past week, five vessels were struck by Iranian projectiles, resulting in injuries and damage, though the ships were not lost. The US has been facilitating oil tanker navigation through Hormuz since May, employing tactics such as turning off radars to avoid detection.
President Trump announced that the strait had been fully de-mined and reopened, aiming to resume traffic gradually, while also planning to impose new sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran's security chief warned of potential retaliation against the US and urged neighboring countries not to support the US's economic actions.