Hormuz Transits Plummet as Mandeb Traffic Surges Amid Regional Tensions

Maritime traffic in the Middle East's key oil chokepoints showed mixed trends on Thursday, according to data from Kpler. The Strait of Hormuz saw a significant drop in transits, with only six confirmed crossings, down 60 percent from the previous day. All but one vessel used a shipping lane designated by Iran.

In contrast, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait experienced an increase in traffic, with 49 vessels completing transits, above the recent average. This divergence comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with security risks affecting maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military has recently resumed naval blockades against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. Kpler noted that some vessels previously turned back due to security concerns had resumed navigation, but others remained anchored, awaiting further safety assessments.