Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly collapsed, with vessel movements dropping to minimal levels as overlapping U.S. and Iranian restrictions choke off one of the world’s most critical energy routes.

Read also: Strait of Hormuz Traffic Near Complete Halt Amid US-Iran Standoff

Only a handful of ships—mostly linked to Iran—have been seen moving through the corridor in recent days. International operators are largely staying away after a sharp escalation last week that saw Iranian forces fire on vessels and U.S. authorities seize multiple oil tankers.

Tracking data shows just three Iran-affiliated ships exiting the Persian Gulf on Monday morning, with no inbound commercial traffic recorded during the same period.

The disruption is now having a pronounced impact on global energy markets. With the conflict entering its ninth week and diplomatic efforts stalled, crude flows have been heavily restricted, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel and intensifying supply concerns.

Sparse Movements, Rising Uncertainty

Recent ship activity has been extremely limited. Two bulk carriers and a liquefied petroleum gas tanker connected to Iran were among the few vessels departing the Gulf at the start of the week. The previous day saw similarly low traffic, with only a small number of tankers and regional cargo ships making outbound journeys.

A tanker linked to China was one of the rare vessels observed entering the Gulf, highlighting how selective and cautious movements have become.

Notably, several Iran-linked ships that exited the region did not proceed beyond the Gulf of Oman, raising questions about whether they are waiting out the situation or making short regional calls.

Tight Corridors and ‘Dark’ Shipping

Ships still attempting to transit Hormuz are being funneled into a narrow northern passage near Iran’s islands, including Larak Island and Qeshm Island—a route effectively controlled by Tehran.

At the same time, tracking visibility remains a major challenge. Many vessels, particularly those tied to Iran, are switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals to avoid detection, making real-time traffic levels difficult to assess.

This “going dark” practice isn’t new but has intensified under the current conditions. Ships often only reactivate their tracking systems once they are far from the المنطقة, sometimes not until reaching the Strait of Malacca, nearly two weeks’ sailing from Iran’s export terminals.

Global Impact Deepens

With traffic at a near standstill and risks still elevated, Hormuz remains effectively closed for most international shipping. The situation continues to strain global supply chains and energy markets, with no clear timeline for a return to normal operations.