Strait of Hormuz Shipping Traffic Drops Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions Traffic through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz is showing signs of decline, the world’s largest shipping association has said, as fears grow over an expanding conflict in the Middle East.

The head of security at Bimco, Jakob Larsen, noted that shipowners are watching the situation closely, with some already halting transits through the strait due to the deteriorating security environment, according to CNBC.

His remarks follow a major escalation over the weekend, when the U.S. launched strikes on three key Iranian nuclear enrichment sites in support of Israel’s campaign to weaken Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iran has condemned the attacks, warning that it reserves all options to defend its sovereignty and population.

“Before the US attack, the impact on shipping patterns was limited,” Bimco’s Larsen said.

“Now, after the US attack, we have indications that the number of ships passing is reducing. If we begin to see Iranian attacks on shipping, it will most likely further reduce the number of ships transiting through the [Strait of Hormuz],” he added.

The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.

In 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the Strait of Hormuz accounted for approximately 20% of global oil and petroleum product consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It also served as a key route for liquefied natural gas (LNG), with about 20% of global LNG volumes—mainly from Qatar—passing through the strait last year.

A disruption in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, even briefly, can drive up global energy prices, increase shipping costs, and trigger major supply delays.

Following the U.S. strikes on key nuclear facilities, however, Iran’s parliament has reportedly approved the closure of the waterway—an escalation that risks straining relations with neighboring countries and key trade partners.

The EMEA head of news at S&P Global Commodity Insights, Andy Critchlow, noted that anecdotal evidence pointed to a slowdown in vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

“The pace at which tankers are entering the Strait of Hormuz has definitely slowed. We have indications from shippers that they are putting tankers and vessels on standby, so they are waiting for an opportune moment to enter the Strait,” Critchlow told CNBC’s “Europe Early Edition” on Monday.

“At the same time, there have been reports that suppliers of LNG, for example, in the Gulf have told lifters of LNG to wait before entering, so [as] not to loiter in the Gulf, keep vessels out of that region,” he added.

Japan’s Nippon Yusen, one of the world’s leading shipping operators, has introduced a standby policy for vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce their time in the Persian Gulf, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The move, described as a precaution amid rising Israel-Iran tensions since June 13, instructs ships to delay entry by a day or two when schedules permit, a company spokesperson told S&P on Monday.

Spokespersons for Nippon Yusen and Mitsui OSK Lines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

German container shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said it is maintaining its routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

“However, the situation is unpredictable and could change within a matter of hours. In this case, our emergency and response plans, which we maintain as part of our crisis management system, come into effect,” a Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson said.