Number of ships transiting Strait of Hormuz falls to three on Wednesday, data shows

Live updates

1. 56m ago

   Hormuz shipping traffic hits new low amid conflicting US and data reports

   Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted, with data showing only three ships transited the waterway on Wednesday. This decline occurs as a standoff with Iran deepens and oil futures exceed $100. While the US military and Donald Trump claim the strait remains open, and the US energy secretary reported 18 million barrels of oil flowed through the Gulf yesterday, shipping data indicates traffic remains below the 10-day average. The situation is compounded by threats to Saudi oil exports following pipeline attacks.

   Why it matters

   The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint. Disruptions here trigger immediate volatility in global oil prices and threaten international energy security. Experts indicate there is currently no quick solution to bypass the strait.

   What is confirmed

   • Shipping traffic via the Strait of Hormuz is currently below its 10-day average.
   • Oil futures have risen beyond $100.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Three ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
   • The US energy secretary claims 18 million barrels of oil flowed through the Gulf yesterday.
   • The US military claims the Strait of Hormuz remains open despite an ongoing blockade.
   • Saudi oil exports face heightened threats after attacks on a pipeline.

   What to watch next

   • Results of upcoming Iran-China talks
   • Confirmation of daily oil transit volumes from independent tracking data
   • Updates on Saudi pipeline repair and export capacity
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. The New York Times — Saudi Oil Exports Face Heightened Threats After Attacks on Pipeline
   2. NewsNation — Hormuz shipping traffic hits new low as Iran standoff deepens
   3. Iran International — Hormuz traffic plunges as Iran prepares China talks
   4. The Washington Post — Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open. But how much oil is really going through?
   5. Al Jazeera — US says it’s clearing Hormuz traffic: Why are oil futures beyond $100?
   6. The Times of Israel — US energy secretary claims 18 million barrels of oil flowed through Gulf yesterday
   7. Al Jazeera — US military claims Strait of Hormuz remains open amid ongoing blockade
   8. Reuters — Number of ships transiting Strait of Hormuz falls to three on Wednesday, data shows
   9. NPR — Strait talk: Why the oil crisis is getting worse : The Indicator from Planet Money
   10. CEPR — Energy markets under chokepoint stress: The 2026 Hormuz shock
   11. Ukrinform — No quick solution yet to bypass Strait of Hormuz, expert says
   12. Dawn — Bab al-Mandab chokepoint: What complete closure would mean for Pakistan
   confidence 70%