Significant Surge in Vessel Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz

At least 54 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz between May 11 and 17, more than double the figure from the previous week. This sharp increase in maritime activity corresponds with heightened trade involving Iran, leading to a notable rise in the transportation of oil, gas, and other goods. An LNG ship owned by ADNOC reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) while entering the Gulf region. London, May 7 – According to Lloyd’s List, a respected maritime trade publication based in the UK, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has risen significantly over the past week. Despite ongoing US sanctions on Iran, increased commercial interactions related to Iran have put additional pressure on this critical waterway.

The report reveals that during the week of May 11-17, a minimum of 54 ships crossed the Strait, compared to only 25 vessels the previous week, indicating a marked acceleration in maritime trade. This increase is largely attributed to a surge in Iran-related commercial activity, particularly in the transport of oil, gas, and various other cargoes. The document further notes that an LNG tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was detected entering the Gulf region with its AIS device deliberately turned off.

This tracking system is typically used to monitor a ship’s location and movements, so its deactivation raises concerns regarding security and surveillance. Data from Windward, a maritime analytics firm based in London, show that on Monday alone, 19 vessels transited the waterway—nine entering and ten exiting. Most inbound ships were cargo vessels flying flags from countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Outbound ships included one oil tanker and nine cargo vessels, five of which were flagged to Iran. Analysts observe that such fluctuations in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could directly impact energy trade in the Middle East, especially oil and gas supplies, as a significant portion of the world’s energy passes through this vital maritime route.