Strait of Hormuz traffic plummets to just 7 ships in two days

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a near halt, with just seven commercial vessels recorded during a 48-hour period this week. Real-time vessel tracking platform MarineTraffic data shows that only two ships crossed the strait with their automatic identification systems active on March 25, followed by five on March 26. The vessels included oil and chemical tankers, dry bulk carriers, LPG tankers, and a dirty petroleum products tanker, several of which transited without cargo.

A dramatic drop in traffic

The current numbers represent a fraction of the waterway’s normal activity. According to UK Maritime Trade Operations data, the historical daily average for vessel traffic through the strait stands at 138 ships. The near total disruption follows Iran’s effective closure of the strait amid the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, which began with a joint offensive on February 28. Tehran has since imposed strict controls on shipping through the narrow passage, through which roughly 20 million barrels of oil typically pass each day.

Global supply chains under pressure

The standstill in one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints is having cascading effects on global energy markets and supply chains. Shipping costs have surged, insurance premiums have skyrocketed, and nations dependent on Gulf oil are facing mounting uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of global petroleum consumption, making its disruption a direct threat to economic stability worldwide.

Türkiye’s strategic concerns

As a major energy importer situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye is closely monitoring the crisis. Ankara has pursued a diversified energy strategy in recent years to reduce dependence on any single route, including investments in alternative supply lines and domestic resources. Turkish officials have consistently warned that the closure of the strait harms all nations and have called for diplomatic efforts to restore freedom of navigation, emphasizing that stable energy flows are essential for global economic security.