Ship traffic through Hormuz highest since start of conflict

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on 22/6 reached its highest level since the Middle East conflict erupted

According to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler, at least 36 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on 22/6, equivalent to nearly one-third of normal traffic. The total number of transits is expected to increase as maritime tracking systems continue to record additional data.

Cargo traffic through the strait, including oil tankers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, and bulk cargo vessels like fertilizer carriers, slightly increased after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities on 14/6. Previously, fewer than 10 cargo ships transited the strait daily since Iran closed Hormuz on 1/3, immediately after the conflict erupted.

Since 15/6, the average has risen to 21 transits per day, and even reached 27 transits in the last five days. Before the conflict, approximately 120 vessels transited Hormuz daily.

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on 4/5. *Photo: AFP*

The US and Iran held talks in Switzerland last weekend. According to US Vice President JD Vance, the negotiations were "a very good foundation" for a final agreement to end the conflict. The US also suspended sanctions on Iranian oil, allowing the country to produce, sell, and transport crude oil and related products until 21/8.

However, core issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's oil shipping lifeline, remain unresolved.

US President Donald Trump demanded the complete and unconditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz for maritime activity, but Iran strongly opposed this.

"The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-conflict status and will be managed by the Islamic Republic of Iran in accordance with international law," Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared on 23/6.

The Strait of Hormuz was reopened last week after Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary agreement. However, Tehran announced its closure again on 20/6 in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.