![Large commercial vessels and a small boat navigate the waters off the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 21, 2026. [Hassan Ghaedi - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AA-20260621-41740656-41740651-VESSEL_ACTIVITY_IN_THE_STRAIT_OF_HORMUZ-1-1.jpg)
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply following renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran and recent attacks on commercial vessels in the strategic waterway. According to shipping data from Kpler, only six cargo ships had transited the strait by 14:30 GMT on Thursday, compared with 21 vessels on Wednesday, indicating a significant slowdown in maritime traffic. Following the ceasefire reached in mid-June, shipping volumes had recovered to their highest levels since the conflict began, although they remained well below normal, at roughly one-third of pre-conflict traffic. The latest decline follows attacks on several vessels earlier this week and growing security concerns in the Gulf. Shipping data indicate that many vessels transiting the strait since […]