Strait of Hormuz traffic stays subdued as US-Iran talks remain stalled

Ship crossings via the Strait of Hormuz remained in single digits on Monday, August 17, 2026, despite a slight uptick from weekend levels, according to preliminary shipping data tracked by Kpler. The continued low movement comes amid a stalemate in peace talks between the United States and Iran.

Data showed that six commodity ships transited the strait on Monday, with three exiting the Gulf and three entering. This compares with a 10-day moving average of 11 ships. Over the weekend, traffic was even thinner: three ships crossed on Saturday, August 15, and two on Sunday, August 16.

Notably, no very large crude carriers (VLCCs) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers passed through the waterway during this period. The absence of these large tankers, which carry the bulk of Gulf oil and gas exports, underscores the ongoing caution in the region.

Shipping data also indicated that some vessels may be transiting the strait with their transponders switched off, a practice that can obscure the true number of crossings. These vessels are not counted in the official tally, meaning actual traffic could be higher than reported.

Among the vessels tracked, the very large gas carrier (VLGC) Xavia entered the strait via the Iranian route under ballast, meaning it was empty of cargo. VLGCs are typically used to transport liquefied petroleum gases such as propane and butane. A medium-range fuel tanker and an intermediate-range tanker also entered the Gulf, while a medium-sized LPG carrier, a Panamax bulk carrier, and a Panamax-sized fuel tanker exited the Gulf.

At the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula, 19 commodity vessels transited on Monday, down from a 10-day moving average of 26 and significantly lower than the 33 crossings recorded on Sunday, August 16. Of the 19 ships, five were entering the Red Sea and 14 were exiting.

Among the vessels exiting was the VLCC Norns, carrying 2 million barrels of oil. Of the ships entering, two were liquid tankers: the Admiral and the Portofino, with the Portofino loaded with diesel bound for markets west of the Suez Canal.

The reduced traffic through both strategic waterways reflects heightened caution among shippers and insurers as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear stalled. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy supplies, with around one-fifth of global oil consumption passing through it. Any prolonged disruption could have significant implications for world markets, though current data show no immediate halt in traffic, only reduced volumes.

Analysts note that while single-digit daily crossings are below the recent average, they are not unprecedented during periods of geopolitical tension. The Kpler data is preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available.