Strait of Hormuz traffic stays at its lowest level in more than two months

Oilprice reported on Tuesday 4 August 2026 that vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at its lowest level in more than two months. After a brief recovery between mid June and early July, when traffic rose alongside a tentative opening of the chokepoint, movements of all vessels including commodity carriers plunged to a two month low at the end of July and have not recovered despite the announced resumption of talks.

Citing ship tracking data, the outlet said tanker owners are either transiting with their identification systems switched off, abandoning attempts to cross, or declining to risk the passage at all. Over the past weekend the very large crude carrier Egypt Prosperity aborted its exit from the Persian Gulf after direct threats over radio, and its crew reported hearing explosions close to the vessel.

Matthew Wright, an analyst at a ship tracking firm, told the BBC that in terms of the threat to crude trade the market is in its worst period since the crisis began.