Strait of Hormuz traffic slows amid closure uncertainty — regional shipping

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to slow on Sunday as uncertainty persisted over the status of the vital shipping lane, with Washington and Tehran offering sharply different accounts of whether the waterway remains open.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Saturday that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Washington of failing to uphold commitments under a tentative ceasefire arrangement. However, US Central Command disputed Tehran's claim, stating that traffic continues to flow and US forces are monitoring the situation.

Despite competing statements, maritime analysts reported signs that shipowners were becoming more cautious. Ship-tracking data suggested that vessels had largely stopped using the strait's northern route following Iranian warnings. Maritime intelligence company Windward tracked only 12 transits through the waterway on Sunday, a decline from the previous day.

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. Even perceived disruption can push up oil prices and insurance costs, with shipping firms potentially rerouting or delaying voyages and slowing global trade flows.