Dimitris Maniatis warns that maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to a three-week low due to Iranian attacks.
Dimitris Maniatis, CEO of Marisks, reports that the Strait of Hormuz has reached a "worst-case scenario" for oil tankers as Iran repeatedly attacks vessels. Since July 6, at least nine ships have been targeted by Iranian anti-ship missiles, causing significant concern among maritime crews. While the U.S. military recently reimposed a naval blockade to secure the area, ship tracking data shows a steep decline in traffic, with daily transits falling from over 100 vessels to as few as eight. The administration announced the reimposition of the naval blockade, and President Trump stated that the strait remains open to all ships except those belonging to Iran. However, the threat of mines and ongoing Iranian aggression have made the traditional route dangerous. Jakob Larsen of BIMCO noted that while some shipping companies are willing to take the risk, many crews are hesitant to enter the strait until reliable reassurances of safety are provided by both the U.S. and Iran.