Dubai, Aug 15 (V7N)- Shipping traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz increased by 44 percent in a single day amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to data from maritime traffic monitoring organization MarineTraffic, 13 ships passed through the vital waterway on Thursday (August 13), compared with nine the previous day.
Of the 13 vessels, seven entered the Arabian Gulf and six departed. Nine of the vessels used routes designated by Iran.
MarineTraffic data showed that two of the vessels were under sanctions, three were classified as shadow or unidentified vessels, and the remaining eight were other commercial vessels.
Despite the one-day increase, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly below normal levels. The ongoing US-Iran tensions and competing claims over control of the waterway have severely affected commercial shipping.
Traffic also rises in Bab el-Mandeb
Shipping activity also increased slightly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea.
A total of 29 vessels passed through the waterway on Thursday. Of these, 18 entered the Red Sea while 11 departed.
Two vessels were reported to have their automatic identification systems (AIS) switched off. Four vessels were under sanctions and two were classified as shadow vessels.
No new attacks on vessels were confirmed in the area that day.
Traffic remains below normal
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28.
According to Reuters, the number of vessels passing through the waterway remained below the average of around 12 cargo ships per day recorded in August.
Data from Kepler showed that nine vessels crossed the strait on Thursday, compared with five the previous day. Most of them used routes designated by Iran.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said two of its vessels were attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The UAE blamed Iran for the incident.
Iran, however, maintains that it controls and manages the Strait of Hormuz and that the waterway remains fully open. The US administration has rejected that claim.
Military analysts say Iran's strategy amounts to an asymmetric approach to the conflict, using the strategically important waterway as leverage against its adversaries.
The continuing tensions and restrictions around the strait have raised concerns over global shipping, energy supplies and market stability.
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