Hormuz crossings rise slightly from weekend, remain in single digits, data shows

Ship crossings through the Strait of Hormuz remained in single digits on Monday, rising slightly from the weekend, according to preliminary shipping data. Six commodity ships transited the strait on Monday, with three exiting the Gulf and three entering, compared with the 10-day average of 11 ships. Three ships transited on Saturday while two moved through the waterway on Sunday. There were no very large crude carriers or tankers carrying liquefied natural gas passing through. Some vessels could be passing through the strait with their transponders switched off and they are not considered in the tally. The very large gas carrier (VLGC) Xavia entered the strait via the Iranian route under ballast, meaning empty of a cargo. A medium-range fuel tanker and an intermediate-range tanker also entered the Gulf, while a medium-sized LPG carrier, a Panamax bulk carrier and a Panamax-sized fuel tanker exited the Gulf. Traffic slowed after weekend strikes on UAE vessels, with five commodity vessels transiting on Saturday and none on Sunday, versus 31 in the prior weekend. The data comes amid a stalemate in US and Iranian peace talks.