Shipping activity through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb remained largely stable at the start of the week, even as uncertainty persisted over potential diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran and security risks continued to weigh on maritime trade.
According to Kpler shipping data, 20 vessels—comprising 12 tankers and eight bulk carriers—transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Monday, unchanged from the previous day. The movements included 12 outbound and eight inbound transits, with the majority of vessels operating with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders switched on.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained subdued, with six vessels—three tankers and three bulk carriers—passing through the waterway on Monday, slightly lower than the seven recorded a day earlier. The movements consisted of five inbound and one outbound transit, all using the Iranian shipping route.
Shipping analysts noted that actual vessel movements could be higher, as some ships continue to navigate the region with their AIS transponders switched off for security reasons, making them invisible to publicly available tracking systems.
The cautious pace of shipping comes amid conflicting signals over U.S.-Iran relations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on Monday that no negotiations with the United States were underway and that no meetings had been scheduled.
His remarks followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Sunday that he was postponing any new military action against Iran while awaiting the outcome of discussions aimed at ending the conflict and addressing issues related to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the absence of any major disruption to vessel movements, elevated security concerns continue to influence shipping decisions. The persistent threat of attacks on commercial vessels has kept operators on alert, with reports indicating that some Saudi-flagged Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) have altered their routes in the Gulf of Aden, opting for the longer voyage around southern Africa to avoid potential threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The latest transit figures suggest that while commercial shipping continues through both strategic chokepoints, the industry remains cautious as geopolitical tensions and regional security risks continue to shape navigation decisions.
