Strait of Hormuz traffic drops 60%, Bab-el-Mandeb sees recovery

Huo Xing Finance reports that on July 24, international market services provider Kpler posted on social media that vessel traffic through two key maritime routes in the Middle East diverged on the 23rd: traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined significantly, while traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, showed signs of recovery. According to Kpler data, six vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on the 23rd, a 60% decrease from the previous day. With the exception of one vessel, all others used routes designated by Iran. Meanwhile, 49 vessels completed transit through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the same day, exceeding previous levels—including four vessels that turned off their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to conduct “dark voyages.” Kpler noted that some vessels previously diverted due to security risks in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea have resumed transit and completed passage, though others remain idle after turning back. International shipping companies continue to assess regional security conditions, with overall maritime activity reflecting a “cautious but selective recovery.”