Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz climbed to its highest level in two weeks on July 29, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers resuming transit after a gap of more than two weeks, according to research firm, S&P Global.
A total of 28 vessels passed through the strategic waterway on July 29, the highest daily movement since July 14, when 35 vessels crossed the strait following the reimposition of the US naval blockade on Iran-linked shipping.
The report said the increase came amid a rise in "dark transits" — vessels operating without visible Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals — and the first confirmed LNG tanker crossings in more than two weeks.
Iran-linked vessels accounted for 60 per cent of the total traffic on July 29, down from the 68 per cent average recorded during the second half of July. The day's traffic included seven landing craft, six product tankers, five bulk carriers, two LNG tankers, two LPG tankers, two container ships, two cargo vessels and two tugs.
Fifteen vessels entered the Gulf, including seven that were operating without visible AIS transmissions.
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Shipping activity through the US naval blockade line also recovered, with 39 vessels recorded on July 29 compared with 25 a day earlier. Of these, 22 vessels crossed inbound toward the Gulf of Oman, including the US-sanctioned product tanker Voyager Haven.
The report also noted increased activity in the Red Sea. Crossings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait rose to 39 on July 29 from 34 the previous day, with 18 vessels moving northbound and 21 southbound. However, only three vessels were known to have called at or been bound for Saudi Arabian Red Sea ports.
S&P Global said dark shipping activity appeared to be increasing, particularly among Saudi-owned vessels that disabled AIS transmissions while transiting the Gulf of Aden.
The report further highlighted that four very large crude carriers (VLCCs) recently sailed to Egypt's Sidi Kerir terminal via the Suez Canal after loading at Yanbu, while at least six more VLCCs were believed to be heading toward Sidi Kerir from the Middle East Gulf and Asia, or diverting via the Cape of Good Hope.
It added that the growing concentration of VLCCs at Sidi Kerir could raise shipping costs and operational complexity, as most fully laden VLCCs cannot transit the Suez Canal without partial loading or discharge.
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