Hormuz shipping plummets as US, Iran tension escalate

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 16, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: Altaf Qadri | IG)

IRAN – Shipping data reveals a sharp decline in shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, marking the first day of a renewed U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports amid escalating strikes between the two nations across the Gulf.

According to Kpler, only seven vessels traversed the strait, primarily on the Iranian route, a significant drop from the 13 recorded the previous day.

This follows after Iran declared the waterway closed late Saturday, effectively halting transit in a critical channel that previously handled approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.

The limited traffic on Wednesday consisted of four empty vessels entering the Gulf, including three small oil tankers and a grain carrier, while three departing ships carried liquefied petroleum gas, coal, and fuel oil.