There was a significant decline in ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbated by the American-Iranian conflict

Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly as a result of the entry into force of the blockade imposed by United States President Trump, and shipowners are increasingly avoiding this important global energy corridor. According to Lloyd's List Information, only 53 vessels had passed through the Strait in the week ending 20 July, a 66 per cent decrease from 157 in the previous week. At the same time, the traffic of tankers and gas carriers was reduced from 90 to 30. The activities of commercial vessels were seriously affected by the intensification of United States air strikes against Iran and the announcement by Iran of a total ban on maritime traffic. The analysts indicated that, although traffic was not completely stopped, shipowners would reassess the risks when tensions escalated and traffic could continue to fluctuate。