Threatened Waters: Shipping Through the Hormuz Strait Amid Ongoing Conflict

Fri Mar 20 2026 02:13:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As nearly 100 vessels navigate the treacherous Hormuz Strait, daily traffic plummets and risks intensify due to escalating tensions in the region.

Since March began, just under 100 ships have passed through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, with traffic down 95% amid ongoing conflicts and security threats. Despite the challenges, a third of the recent crossings involved vessels linked to Iran, with many ships altering their routes to evade potential dangers.

Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify, despite periodic attacks on shipping in the area by Iranian forces.

While some energy and everyday goods are still moving through one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, daily traffic is down about 95% since the Iran war began on 28 February.

Before the war, about 138 ships passed through the strait each day according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre, carrying one-fifth of the global oil supply.

Data provided by shipping analysts Kpler indicates 99 vessels have passed the narrow strait so far this month, averaging just 5-6 vessels a day, and many are taking risks to make the journey.

Our analysis indicates that roughly a third of these recent crossings were made by ships with connections to Iran, including 14 vessels sailing under Iran's flag and others under sanctions due to suspected links to Tehran's oil trade. Additionally, nine other ships were owned by companies linked to China, while six were reported as bound for India.

Tracking data shows several non-Iran-linked ships docking at Iranian ports, and some ships are taking longer routes. For instance, a Pakistan-flagged oil tanker took a path closely hugging the Iranian coast on its transit through the strait on March 15.

Experts suggest these altered paths might indicate vessels responding to Iranian directives or seeking balance against threats of attacks or mines in the waters.

Since the onset of conflict, 20 commercial vessels have been confirmed attacked off the Iranian coast, raising significant shipping concerns. The attack on the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree on March 11, which left three crew members missing after projectiles struck, serves as a grim reminder of the risks.

With threats ranging from drones to naval mines, experts highlight that commercial shipping lanes risk becoming battle zones. Many ships reportedly disable their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to avoid detection as they traverse these perilous waters.

Despite the ongoing tensions, industry experts remain vigilant, emphasizing the need for safer routes and international monitoring to safeguard maritime trade in this vital region.