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Traffic diverges at key chokepoints Maritime traffic continues to navigate two strategically vital chokepoints, but the risk profile is evolving differently across each. The Strait of Hormuz recorded just 29 verified crossings between 24 and 26 July, with routing uncertainty persisting. Bab el-Mandeb, meanwhile, saw 100 verified crossings and largely stable daily activity, despite ongoing regional security concerns. Several vessels that had previously reversed course later completed their transits, indicating that operators are increasingly making route decisions based on real time risk assessments rather than broad avoidance. With no sign of a lasting regional stabilisation, vessel behaviour may prove a more important indicator than headline transit volumes. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler115,991 views • 2 days ago

Hormuz traffic turns defensive Confirmed Strait of Hormuz crossings declined by around 52% week on week over 10 to 12 July, with traffic reverting to more defensive routing patterns. Use of Iranian and Dark routes increased while activity on IMO and Omani corridors almost disappeared. Although no new IMO confirmed physical attacks have been reported since 27 June, renewed US Iran tensions and IRGC warnings continue to drive heightened caution across commercial shipping. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler149,843 views • 16 days ago

Strait traffic remains uneven Maritime activity remained mixed across key regional chokepoints on 23 July, with no new confirmed IMO attacks were reported. Strait of Hormuz traffic fell to six confirmed crossings, down 60 per cent from the previous day, with all but one vessel using the Iranian Unilateral Scheme. Bab el Mandeb traffic increased to 49 confirmed crossings, including five sanctioned and 11 shadow fleet vessels, alongside four dark transits. Several ships that had previously reversed course in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea completed their crossings, while others remain on hold following earlier U turns. The data points to a cautious but selective return to transit activity as operators continue to assess security conditions. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler37,890 views • 5 days ago

Hormuz risks deepen further Confirmed Strait of Hormuz crossings rose slightly on 14 July, with 21 monitored transits recorded, dominated by commercial traffic carrying crude, LPG, methanol and iron ore. However, the security outlook deteriorated further as three additional attacks off Oman were verified, bringing the reported toll to 56 confirmed incidents and 17 seafarer fatalities. The absence of Omani route transits highlights a growing loss of confidence in that corridor, while shipping continues to favour Iranian approved routing. At the same time, reports that the US is considering a 20% cargo transit toll add fresh legal and geopolitical uncertainty. The Strait remains passable, but the operating environment is becoming increasingly complex and unstable. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler88,867 views • 14 days ago

Hormuz traffic sees a sharp d/d uptick Confirmed Strait of Hormuz crossings rose to 70 on 24 June, up 105% day on day, as demining efforts advanced and operators increasingly used the Omani route. Commercial traffic accounted for most activity, with 53 transits, while low-risk vessels dominated the day’s profile. The US-Iran MoU framework and apparent lifting of the US blockade appear to have supported a short-term confidence boost, although IRGC warnings against use of the Omani route could create a new source of contention. IMO-route use picked up slightly, but continued Dark routing, incomplete demining and unresolved issues over inspections, sanctions and future Strait governance mean the rebound is not yet a confirmed return to pre-crisis conditions. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler193,324 views • 1 month ago

Dual chokepoint risks deepen Shipping continues through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb, but operational confidence remains under pressure. Traffic declined sharply across both chokepoints on 21 July, with Strait of Hormuz crossings down 31% day-on-day to nine vessels and Bab el Mandeb down 34% to 29 amid a worsening security backdrop. Four confirmed vessel U turns near the Gulf of Aden suggest operators are becoming more cautious following Houthi threats against Saudi linked shipping. At the same time, confirmed maritime attacks continue around the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing concerns that uncertainty across both regional chokepoints could reshape routing decisions, increase freight costs and sustain higher geopolitical risk premiums for energy markets. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler42,487 views • 7 days ago

Hormuz recovery faces fresh pressure Traffic through the monitored Strait of Hormuz zone strengthened on 7 July, with 41 verified crossings compared with 36 the previous day. Commercial west to east movements continued to dominate, while sanctioned vessel activity eased and laden crude, dry bulk and #LPG voyages remained significant. However, the operating picture became more complex. Use of the Iranian route declined as IMO routing recovered, but elevated Dark or Unknown movements highlighted uneven confidence across the market. The backdrop also deteriorated after two newly confirmed tanker incidents near Oman and OFAC’s replacement of General License X with GLX1, tightening the sanctions framework for Iranian related trade. The focus is now shifting from traffic recovery towards security, compliance and route risk management. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler106,744 views • 21 days ago

Hormuz traffic shows recovery Verified Strait of Hormuz crossings reached 25 on 18 June, marking a notable increase in daily maritime activity. Traffic was evenly distributed across both directions, with most vessels following established Iranian route patterns. Five sanctioned vessels were recorded among the crossings, while no additional physical attacks have been confirmed since 10 May. The latest figures coincide with discussions surrounding the implementation phase of the US-Iran 60 day memorandum framework, which aims to preserve the ceasefire, support navigation through the Strait and facilitate broader negotiations. While this d/d uptick points to improving operating conditions, unresolved implementation details and continued dark crossings indicate a continued elevated degree of caution with ship operators. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler196,715 views • 1 month ago

Hormuz traffic stays cautious Confirmed crossings through the Strait of Hormuz zone fell for a second consecutive day on 9 July, dropping to 22 from 30 the previous day. Activity remained largely low risk, with commercial traffic only marginally exceeding non commercial movements. Operators continued to favour the Iranian route, while the Omani route saw just one crossing, reinforcing the lasting impact of recent security incidents near Oman. Although no new physical attacks have been recorded since 7 July, renewed US-Iran military escalation has weakened confidence that diplomacy will provide near term stability. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler91,379 views • 19 days ago

Verified crossings still at historic lows As of 17 June, Kpler observed six verified crossings across the monitored zone. Traffic was weighted east to west, and most vessels followed established Iranian coastal passage routes. One sanctioned vessel, Ostria, was identified transiting east to west in ballast. No additional physical attacks have been confirmed since 10 May, leaving the maritime risk picture broadly unchanged. The latest movements come as US-Iran discussions continue around a proposed 60 day memorandum intended to support maritime security and preserve the current ceasefire framework. While transit activity continues, relatively low crossing volumes indicate that shipping patterns remain cautious rather than fully restored. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler113,950 views • 1 month ago

No uptick in activity yet The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate below normal commercial levels, despite signals of diplomatic progress. As of 15 June, only five confirmed crossings were recorded, largely consisting of low risk movements, moderate shadow fleet activity and three commercial voyages laden with DPP and steel cargo. While public reports indicate the US and Iran have reached an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the waterway, key operational questions remain unresolved, including transit security, navigation fees and safe passage arrangements. With no new vessel attacks reported since 10 June, risk conditions appear more stabilised, but low transit activity suggests market participants are still waiting for clear evidence of safety for a sustained operational normalisation. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler113,508 views • 1 month ago

Hormuz uptick remains fragile Strait of Hormuz crossings rebounded sharply over 19–21 June, with 71 confirmed transits and a weekend peak of 35 on 20 June, supported by the blockade lift and renewed free-passage signals. Commercial crossings recovered with AIS transponder ons, but volumes remain below pre-crisis norms and caution is still clear: many vessels continue using Iranian and Dark routes while demining remains incomplete. With no new physical attacks since 10 June but diplomacy still fragile, the reopening is delivering a recovery, though likely an uneven one. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler92,985 views • 1 month ago

Hormuz traffic remains constrained Strait of Hormuz transit activity remained constrained over 5 to 7 June, with only eight monitored crossings across commercial and non-commercial traffic. The total was one below the single-day count on 4 June and 14 below the previous weekend, underscoring a break from stronger weekend permissive passage. All crossings used the Iranian Route, while only two sanctioned Iranian-flagged vessels transited, pointing to weak broader commercial participation. A recent attack on an MSC containership has reinforced the fragile operating picture in the area. Against a more volatile diplomatic backdrop, the Strait is likely to remain open only under narrow, tightly managed conditions, and moving further away from stabilising or increasing flows. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler84,197 views • 1 month ago

When GPS lies, ships stop moving. GNSS spoofing, the deliberate manipulation of satellite navigation signals, has been confirmed in the Gulf. Ships can’t trust where they are, so many are choosing not to go at all. The result: a sharp drop in vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries ~20% of global oil flows. This isn’t just a navigation problem. When ships hesitate in a corridor this critical, supply chains feel it and so do energy prices. Kpler data doesn’t just show you the headlines. It shows you what’s happening before the headlines catch up.
Kpler182,900 views • 5 months ago

Hormuz vessel traffic snapshot Strait of Hormuz activity remains in focus as regional dynamics evolve. Our latest snapshot highlights vessel crossings by commodity including liquids, dry bulk, LNG, and LPG across key transit routes. Note: Crossing data is accurate as of 09:00 UTC, 22 April. Figures may be updated as additional data is backfilled throughout the day. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler113,225 views • 3 months ago

Strait of Hormuz crossings rebound Kpler’s rolling coverage of US-Iran diplomatic developments shows a clear shift in Strait of Hormuz activity across two consecutive weekends. Between 12–14 June, total crossings reached 32. One week later, from 19–21 June, crossings rose to 93 an increase of 61 crossings. The biggest change came on Saturday, with crossings rising from 3 to 42 week-on-week, highlighting a sharp rebound in vessel movement through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.A temporary OFAC general license has become an important enabler of the traffic recovery, easing some of the immediate compliance uncertainty around approved Hormuz transits until 21 August. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler42,372 views • 1 month ago

Hormuz traffic cautiously improves Confirmed Strait of Hormuz traffic stayed active on 23 June, with 31 verified crossings across commercial and energy-linked vessels. West-to-east movements dominated, while Iranian, Omani and IMO routes all remained in use. The Strait appears operational under the US-Iran MoU, but dark-route activity and uncertainty beyond the 60-day window keep the recovery cautious. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler36,840 views • 1 month ago

Strait of Hormuz | Vessel Crossings Confirmed Strait of Hormuz transits rose to 10 on 20 May from four the previous day, while the IRGC Navy stated that 26 vessels were underway following coordination and approval procedures with Iranian authorities. Most movements involved commercial west to east traffic, with no new Iranian export loadings observed. Although activity remained broadly low risk, it included two sanctioned vessels and one shadow vessel, while opaque routing patterns picked up d/d. Reports suggest Tehran is preparing a permit based transit framework to present in negotiations, potentially involving vessel vetting, state coordination and safe passage fees. The emerging structure points to a more formalised IRGC managed clearance regime. Mobility is improving incrementally, but access remains conditional, politically controlled and exposed to rapid disruption.
Kpler55,919 views • 2 months ago

Hormuz passage remains fragile Transit activity through the Strait of Hormuz showed a modest day on day increase on 11 June, with six crossings recorded across the monitored zone. Traffic remained concentrated in non commercial movements, with commercial activity limited to a ballast oil tanker. Most vessels continued to follow the Iranian route, suggesting passage remains under tightly controlled conditions. At the same time, the security picture deteriorated further following an IMO verified attack on Jalveer and the addition of two earlier incidents to the record. The result is an operating environment that remains highly fragile. Diplomatic signals are equally mixed, with Washington and Tehran offering conflicting assessments of negotiations, leaving uncertainty over both the Strait’s security outlook and the prospects for a lasting agreement. Stay ahead of the market with #Kpler Insight:
Kpler37,639 views • 1 month ago

Hormuz GPS disruption continues GPS interference in and around the Strait of Hormuz has continued to rise since the crisis began, suggesting a persistent and geographically dispersed campaign of electronic disruption. This interference is triggering false AIS positioning, causing ships to appear in locations where they are not. For operators and analysts, that means greater uncertainty around vessel tracking, maritime safety and the reliability of situational awareness in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways.
Kpler82,010 views • 4 months ago