Tanker Traffic Through Hormuz Slumps Following Surge in Attacks

Crude exports crossing the strait dropped 27% to 10.1 million barrels per day, according to Kpler analysts. This decline is particularly acute among vessels engaged in ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, a logistical pivot point that had previously bolstered Saudi Arabian export volumes. While energy flows had shown signs of stabilizing toward September averages, the recent uptick in regional violence has disrupted that momentum.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, overseen by the U.S. Navy, recorded 12 separate attacks on vessels carrying crude, liquid petroleum gas, and liquefied natural gas between September 28 and October 2. This represents the highest frequency of maritime strikes since the conflict began in February. In an official statement, the JMIC attributed the aggression to Iran, describing the campaign as a strategic effort to assert presence along critical transit lanes and exert persistent pressure on international shipping.