S&P Global Reports Decline in Hormuz Shipping, Red Sea Traffic Drops to Lowest Since Early June

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz slowed further on August 3, while vessel movements across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait dropped to their lowest level since June 1, reflecting renewed concerns over maritime security, according to a report by S&P Global. The report, based on data from S&P Global MINT and S&P Global Commodities at Sea, said the number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz fell to 15 on August 3, down from a revised total of 19 recorded the previous day.

It also highlighted a new security incident in the region. According to the report, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center received information on the evening of August 3 that an unidentified projectile struck a cargo ship around 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. S&P Global further noted that five vessels conducted "dark transits" through the Strait of Hormuz, meaning they traveled without broadcasting visible tracking signals. Of the vessels crossing the strait, eight were identified as having links to Iran, while the remainder were considered compliant with monitoring requirements.

At the U.S. naval blockade line, analysts recorded 39 vessel movements on August 3, including 18 inbound and 21 outbound crossings. Among them, the Handysize tanker REEF was the only vessel classified as non-compliant after altering course toward the Omani port of Shinas. Shipping activity through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait declined sharply. The report said only 21 vessels passed through the strategic waterway on August 3, a steep drop from 36 crossings the previous day and the lowest daily traffic level observed during the current reporting period since June 1.

Of those transits, nine vessels were traveling northbound while 12 headed south toward the Gulf of Aden. Three ships were also found to be moving without visible tracking signals. The report added that only three vessels operating in the area were assessed as Saudi-linked. These included ships carrying or expected to load Saudi-origin cargo, Saudi-flagged vessels, or ships connected to Saudi Arabia through ownership, operations, or recent port calls.