Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased this week after the United States and Iran implemented an agreement that reopened one of the world's most important energy corridors following months of conflict. Commercial shipping activity remained below levels seen before the war, but tanker movements showed signs of recovery as crude exports resumed and vessels returned to established routes.
At least 20 oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the highest level of tanker traffic since June 2, according to data from shipping analytics firm Kpler cited by CNBC. A total of 25 vessels, including cargo and container ships, made the transit that day.
The rise in traffic followed the implementation of a U.S.-Iran agreement that ended the U.S. Navy's blockade of Iran and established a 60-day toll-free period for commercial vessels using the strategic waterway. U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters Thursday that Iran was "honoring their end of the commitment."
"Traffic was broadly balanced, with 13 crossings moving West to East and 12 moving East to West," Matt Smith, Kpler's commodity research director, said.
Three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) from Saudi Arabia and one from the United Arab Emirates crossed the strait Thursday. These supertankers can transport as much as 2 million barrels of oil.
Iranian crude exports also showed signs of returning to normal. Kpler analysts observed five Iranian supertankers departing the region Friday with loaded cargoes after switching their transponders back on. Many Iranian vessels had stopped transmitting their positions during the conflict. According to CNBC, analysts said the two-way movement of ships suggested Iranian crude trade was moving back toward regular operating patterns.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, handles a significant portion of the world's seaborne oil trade. The waterway became a focal point of tensions during the U.S.-Iran conflict, when naval operations and attacks on shipping disrupted global energy markets.
The agreement that reopened the sea lane followed weeks of negotiations involving Oman and Gulf Arab states. Reuters reported that Washington and Tehran agreed to restore maritime access after a ceasefire brought an end to direct military clashes that had disrupted oil exports and sent shipping insurance costs sharply higher.
Most vessels crossing Hormuz have been following routes designated by Iran. Eighteen of the 25 ships that transited Thursday used the Iranian corridor, while only one vessel followed the route established by the International Maritime Organization.
Commercial traffic through the waterway remains well below prewar levels. Before hostilities escalated, more than 100 vessels, including dozens of oil tankers, passed through the strait daily. Shipping companies had reduced activity during the conflict because of security concerns and soaring freight rates.
According to Bloomberg, several major tanker operators resumed bookings this week after insurers lowered war-risk premiums following the ceasefire. The easing of tensions has also allowed Gulf producers to increase exports after months of disruptions.
The International Energy Agency said earlier this year that roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making any disruption to shipping in the area a major concern for energy markets, according to Reuters.
