Iraqi oil tankers continue transits through Strait of Hormuz

BASRA, Iraq — Lloyd's List Intelligence data cited by Kpler shows ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains sharply reduced, with fewer than 20 vessels crossing over the weekend. Thirteen ships transited the strait on Saturday and four on Sunday, compared with 16 on Friday, according to shipping data. Figures from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency indicate 89 outbound transits and 103 inbound transits during the week ending August 21, levels roughly 90 percent below pre-conflict norms. Oil tankers accounted for about 45 percent of total maritime traffic through the strait during the period. On the Iraqi side, a very large empty crude tanker was reported entering the Gulf via Hormuz on Friday and heading toward Iraq. On Saturday, a tanker carrying Iraqi crude loaded at Basra was observed entering the Red Sea. Ship movement through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remained at low levels.