Hormuz Strait Traffic Rebounds as Iran-Bound Shipments Surge Ahead of U.S. Blockade; Missiles Hit UAE Tankers

According to Kpler ship-tracking data, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rebounded on Tuesday, July 14, with nine of eleven ships using Iranian routes as Iran accelerated export shipments ahead of a U.S. blockade announced that day. The outbound vessels included a VLCC carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, a medium-range tanker loaded with refined products, and two LPG tankers. Empty vessels entering the strait comprised one Aframax and two VLCCs.

Due to the escalating geopolitical tensions, Iran fired cruise missiles that struck two UAE-allied VLCCs transiting the strait on Tuesday, according to UAE defense officials. The incident pushed Middle East spot crude prices higher, with near-month futures now trading above far-month contracts, signaling supply tightness.