Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is showing signs of recovery, although shipping confidence remains precarious, according to vessel-tracking company Kpler. In their latest update, Kpler reported that on July 2, there were 38 confirmed vessel crossings in the monitored zone, a 10 percent decrease from the previous day. Despite this decline, the daily crossings are stabilizing within a range of 30 to 60, significantly lower than the prewar average of 125 to 140 ships that transported around 20 million barrels of oil daily—approximately 20 percent of the global seaborne oil trade.
Kpler noted that commercial vessels still dominate the traffic, but there has been a notable increase in Iranian-flagged vessels. This shift indicates that operators are increasingly opting for “Iranian and Dark or Unknown” routes through this strategic waterway.
The firm emphasizes that the current traffic patterns reflect ongoing uncertainties. Passage through the Strait is increasingly influenced by political factors, compliance issues, and unresolved negotiations concerning fees and route governance. As a result, while the situation is stabilizing, the overall confidence in maritime operations in the region remains fragile.
