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Hormuz Stalled Again: Ship Traffic Takes a Hit

Strait of HormuzMonday, June 22, 2026

Vessel traffic drops sharply
Sunday: 5 ships passed through the strait.
Previous day: 26 ships, a steep decline.
Key vessels
Three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) each carrying ~2 million barrels of Saudi oil.
One VLCC bound for Japan.
Possible undercount
Some ships may disable GPS tags while sailing the Gulf, potentially missing from data.
Background
Iran had lifted its blockade last week after extending a 60‑day ceasefire with the U.S.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reopened the strait following Israeli attacks in Lebanon, though U.S. forces claim commercial traffic remains allowed.

Saturday’s traffic
Mixed oil transport: 3 VLCCs from the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq; 3 tankers carrying assorted petroleum products.
Total: 13 ships entered the strait, including two large crude carriers.
Industry response
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. urge buyers to load crude either inside or outside the Hormuz corridor, offering flexibility amid tensions.