Data Indicates Continued Maritime Traffic in Hormuz on Saturday Despite Iran's Warning

SadaNews - Data from "Lloyd's List Intelligence" showed that ships continued to enter and exit the Gulf area through the Strait of Hormuz, despite Iran's announcement to close the vital maritime passage to traffic.

"Lloyd's List" mentioned in a post on the "X" platform that tracking data indicated the continuity of maritime traffic with ships operating automatic identification systems, via the northern route, as well as through the southern route for the first time in weeks. The U.S. Central Command, "Centcom," also announced that commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20, with U.S. forces continuing to operate in the region to support freedom of navigation.

"Centcom" added in a statement that safe passage through the international waterway remained established on Saturday, as 55 commercial ships crossed the strait, carrying large quantities of goods and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.

This data indicates that Tehran's announcement to close the strait has not yet turned into a complete halt in maritime traffic.

Cautious Return to Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Shipping traffic through Hormuz had started to improve after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to cease hostilities, but the return remains cautious. The number of commercial crossings in Hormuz reached 25 trips on June 18, the highest daily level since April 18, and more than five times the daily average during the first ten days of June, yet it is still far from pre-war levels of around 120 trips daily, according to data reported by Reuters.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy corridors, through which about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Its disruption during the war has crippled a significant portion of Gulf exports, prompting producers, including Iraq, to cut production as inventories filled and tankers faced difficulties reaching export ports.