Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply, with vessel crossings falling 77 percent day-on-day to just five ships, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler.
Kpler said all recorded transits used the Iranian Unilateral Scheme, indicating reduced operational confidence and limited routing options through the strategic waterway.
By contrast, traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb remained relatively steady, with 47 vessel crossings despite continued movements by sanctioned ships, shadow fleet activity, and one dark transit.
“With US and Iranian public positions still at odds, operators are closely monitoring traffic volumes, routing behaviour and any diplomatic developments that could reshape risk across regional shipping lanes in the days ahead,” Kpler said.
Hormuz traffic drops sharply
The latest maritime risk data points to growing divergence across the region’s two strategic chokepoints. Strait of Hormuz crossings fell 77% day on day to just five vessels, with all transits concentrated through the Iranian Unilateral Scheme,โฆ pic.twitter.com/TQVeCmfOFN
โ Kpler (@Kpler) July 31, 2026
๐ช๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฆ/๐๐ข๐ก๐ง๐๐ก๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐..
