Shipping data indicates the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz has decreased further at the start of this week. Market caution has intensified following a new round of reciprocal attacks between the United States and Iran.

According to Kpler data, a total of four commodity-carrying vessels passed through the strait on Monday, primarily navigating along Iranian routes, down from seven vessels the previous day.

Of these four vessels, two tankers were exiting the strait, while the other two were entering. One of the departing vessels was carrying petrochemical products, and the other was in ballast. The two inbound vessels were an asphalt carrier and a tanker, respectively.

No Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) or Cheniere (LNG) carriers were observed transiting the strait on Monday.

Maritime tensions have escalated further. On Monday, the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen stated it would impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. This action has the potential to disrupt global energy supplies beyond the Gulf region.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office reported receiving multiple accounts of a tanker being struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, with the incident communicated via VHF Channel 16.

In a separate incident, Greek shipping company Dynacom Tankers stated that two tankers under its management were attacked by projectiles of unknown origin while sailing off the coast of Oman on Monday.