Hormuz traffic subdued amid US-Iran tensions

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained subdued over the weekend despite renewed diplomatic efforts, according to an WSP Global report. Only 17 crossings were recorded on August 2, 15 on August 1, and 17 on July 31. July total transits fell to 848 from 917 in June, with daily averages dropping to 17 in the second half of the month after the collapse of the memorandum of understanding underpinning the peace agreement and intensified retaliatory attacks between the United States and Iran. Iran-linked vessels increased to 53% of total traffic, while Iraqi crude exports via the strait fell 27% to 648,000 barrels per day. Security incidents near Oman continued, including an attack on the LNG carrier Gaslog Shanghai and explosions reported near Khasab. Traffic through the US naval blockade remained stable, with about 41 compliant vessels per day, while only around two non-compliant vessels breached daily. Bab-el-Mandeb traffic weakened, with northbound transits dropping to 10 vessels on August 2, the lowest since May 26. Despite US President Donald Trump's assertion that a deal was 'imminent' and reports of Oman and Iran agreeing to jointly manage traffic, vessel movements remained depressed.