Hormuz traffic continues despite attack on container ship

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued in both directions Friday despite an attack on a container vessel that prompted some shipowners to reconsider transit plans through the key energy route. The attack on the Ever Lovely on Thursday, the first such incident since an interim US-Iran peace deal was signed, led some owners and captains to pause or review exit plans from the Gulf. At least one Asia-based company told staff that vessels in the Gulf should remain in place while executives reassess transit options.

Traffic recovery and route patterns

Ship‑tracking data indicated that the incident had not halted a gradual recovery in traffic. Two fully loaded tankers were seen heading out of the Gulf on Friday, while four empty VLCCs were among vessels sailing inbound along the Omani coast. Outbound traffic was concentrated on the southern corridor, with 26 of 41 vessels using that route, while the northern corridor remained the dominant Iran‑proximate lane for inbound traffic. Windward data showed 62 vessels transited on June 24, including five “dark” transits with limited AIS visibility.

LNG buildup and governance friction

Empty LNG carriers began lining up offshore Qatar as the country prepares to increase exports from Ras Laffan, one of the world’s largest LNG production hubs. At least eight empty LNG carriers were observed leaving the facility. The management of Hormuz remains a point of friction between Washington and Tehran, with the US insisting the strait must remain toll‑free. US Secretary of State Rubio warned that any tolling system could encourage other governments to impose charges at other chokepoints, creating “chaos.”