Shipping slows after Iran says it has again shut the Strait of Hormuz

SINGAPORE — Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Sunday after Iran announced it had again closed the strategic waterway, citing alleged violations by Israel and the United States of an interim ceasefire agreement, according to shipping data.

Only five vessels were recorded passing through the strait on Sunday, down from 26 the previous day, data from analytics firm Kpler showed. Among them were three very large crude carriers transporting about 2 million barrels of Saudi Arabian crude oil and fuel oil each, including one bound for Japan. Analysts cautioned that the figures may not fully capture vessel movements if ships temporarily disable their tracking transponders while operating in the Gulf.

Iran had effectively reopened the strait last week after agreeing with the United States to extend an April ceasefire for 60 days to allow continued peace negotiations. However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later declared the waterway closed again, following Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The U.S. military said commercial shipping activity in the region was continuing despite the announcement.

On Saturday, vessel movements remained active. Three very large crude carriers exited the strait carrying crude from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq. In addition, three tankers transporting various refined petroleum products also passed through the waterway, according to the data.

A total of 13 vessels entered the strait on Saturday, including two very large crude carriers.

Meanwhile, Gulf energy producers including Abu Dhabi National Oil Co and Kuwait Petroleum Corp have issued crude sales tenders offering optional loading locations both inside and outside the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting ongoing uncertainty over maritime access in the region.

-Reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Stephen Coates / Reuters