Middle East Shipping Traffic Unfazed by US-Iran Peace Talks Uncertainty

Shipping traffic through key Middle Eastern maritime chokepoints remained steady on August 5, despite ongoing uncertainty over peace talks between the US and Iran.

A total of eight vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz, including five tankers and three bulk carriers. This is in line with the previous day's numbers, according to data from Kpler.

The numbers are a far cry from the 130-140 ships that typically passed through the waterway before the US-Iran war began on February 28. Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response, causing significant disruptions to global oil supplies.

However, a tanker controlled by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) reappeared outside the strait on August 5, carrying a cargo loaded from Das Island. This is the third time the Mubaraz LNG tanker has exited the strait with cargoes from Das Island since the war began.

In contrast, traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb saw a total of 20 vessels cross the strait on August 5, with no significant changes compared to the previous day. Qatar had reported earlier that mediators were making progress in efforts to end the US-Iran war, driving oil prices lower.