Hormuz traffic remains at a trickle as US blockade of Iranian ports appears to hold

Key Points:

• The US has fully implemented a blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, significantly reducing maritime traffic in this crucial oil and gas trade route since February 28.
• Maritime data shows only 16 commodity vessels have crossed the strait since the blockade began, with most ships either turning back or remaining stuck west of the strait, causing a massive slowdown in shipping activity.
• Several sanctioned Iranian-flagged ships and tankers have attempted to navigate the strait but either turned around or were halted near regional ports, while humanitarian shipments have reportedly been exempt from the blockade.
• Over 55 very large crude carriers, including those owned by Japanese, Chinese, Greek, and South Korean companies, remain stuck in the Gulf, highlighting the blockade's significant impact on global oil transport.
• Since the ceasefire in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran last week, no new attacks on ships have been reported, although around 30 commercial vessels, including 13 tankers, were attacked or involved in incidents earlier this month.