Shipping data indicates a significant decline in the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following Iran's announcement of another closure of the strategic waterway. Iran stated the move was in response to Israel and the United States violating a provisional ceasefire agreement.
Information from analytics firm Kpler shows only five ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, compared to 26 observed the previous day. These five vessels included three Very Large Crude Carriers, each carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil and fuel oil, with one bound for Japan. The data may not include ships that turned off their transponders while navigating in the Gulf.
Last week, after Iran and the U.S. reached a deal to extend an April ceasefire by 60 days to facilitate peace talks, Iran lifted its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, on Saturday, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the waterway was closed again in response to Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. The U.S. military stated that commercial vessels were still sailing.
Data shows that among the vessels exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday were three VLCCs carrying crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, respectively; another three tankers were carrying various petroleum products.
Figures indicate a total of 13 vessels entered the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, including two Very Large Crude Carriers.
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