Commercial shipping through Hormuz 'significantly reduced', UKMTO says

Commercial shipping through Hormuz 'significantly reduced', UKMTO says Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains about 90 percent below pre-conflict levels, with operators increasingly favouring a northern route, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The agency recorded 101 outbound and 103 inbound full transits in the seven days to 28 August. In a report published on 28 August, UKMTO said vessel traffic had remained “significantly reduced” despite a brief recovery in late June. It said multiple vessels had aborted planned transits or rerouted north following attacks. The southern Omani route remains particularly dangerous, accounting for 16 of 18 projectile strike incidents reported by UKMTO since 6 July. Overall, 23 projectile strike incidents have been reported since then, causing bridge, engine-room and structural damage. Tanker traffic accounts for 45 percent of all movements through the strait, but volumes remain suppressed. UKMTO said the maritime threat remained elevated, with the Joint Maritime Information Center assessing the risk in the Strait of Hormuz as severe.