Commercial shipping traffic in Strait of Hormuz hits record low

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped significantly, with only seven vessels detected on September 10, 2026. This figure represents a sharp decline from the previous day's eleven vessels and is less than half of the ten-day average of fifteen daily transits. Many ships are reportedly disabling their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to evade tracking amid heightened security risks in the vital waterway.

The decline follows increased tensions in the region, as the United States military has limited its protective escort services for commercial tankers. According to the Financial Times, the U.S. naval coordination center notified shipping companies that air protection is now restricted to two specific time windows per day, down from the broader coverage provided since May. This shift aims to consolidate resources in response to an increase in Iranian night-time attacks against vessels. The Strait remains a critical artery for global energy markets, and the situation is being closely monitored by international shipping and energy analysts due to the persistent threat to maritime security.