The number of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in October was recorded at 750, which indicates an increase compared to 749 in September. Despite a decrease in VLCC traffic to 156 in October from 184 in the previous month, the increase in traffic of other classes of ships has compensated for this decline.
Impact of security threats on maritime traffic
In October, the Strait of Hormuz faced significant security threats, including missile attacks and fires on ships. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, announced in a press conference that 30 attacks were recorded this month, one of the highest figures in the history of this strait. The dangers posed by Iranian air attacks and accidents caused by mines have also raised serious concerns for ships passing through this strait.
Changes in ship traffic
The number of cargo ship traffic reached 149, the highest figure since June. Additionally, the traffic of LNG ships, which had decreased since the onset of the war with Iran, increased to 32, reaching the highest level since the war began. In contrast, the traffic of LPG ships decreased to 36. These changes indicate fluctuations in inbound and outbound activities in the Strait of Hormuz.
The daily traffic numbers in the last three days of October were 24 on October 30, 28 on October 31, and then decreased to 17 on November 1. Significant traffic included VLCC ships from Bahrain, such as Lawhah and Aslaf, as well as Suezmax ships transporting crude oil from the Persian Gulf to India.
In the final days of October, inbound traffic to the strait included the ships Kassab and Gold Shine, which entered the Persian Gulf. The Aframax ship Astypalea also entered the region for the first time since March.
Reports also indicate that 5 ships that passed through the Strait of Hormuz during this period are on the blacklist of the Iranian Gulf Maritime Organization. This organization has identified 240 ships as violators of the passage guidelines through the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to fine or detain these ships.
In the Red Sea, traffic in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait also reached 1196 in October, up from 1154 in September. While the traffic of oil tankers remained stable at 408, northern traffic increased to 647, accounting for about 54 percent of total traffic. However, traffic related to Saudi Arabia in Bab-el-Mandeb has significantly decreased to 21.
