Strait of Hormuz: 279 Ships Transited, 22 Attacked Amid Iran War

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy and trade chokepoint, has experienced severe disruptions and attacks since February 28, 2026, following the commencement of the US-Israeli war on Iran. [5, 6] Al Jazeera reported on April 14, 2026, that ship-tracking data indicated 279 ships had passed through the strait and 22 had been attacked since the conflict began. [6] This represents a drastic reduction in traffic, with overall transit plummeting by over 95 percent from pre-war averages of around 100 ships per day. [6] The conflict has led to significant geopolitical and economic repercussions. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued warnings forbidding passage and reportedly launched missile and drone attacks on merchant ships, leading major shipping firms like Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd to suspend operations. [5] This has resulted in a sharp decline in maritime transit, with tanker traffic dropping dramatically and over 150 ships anchoring outside the strait to avoid risks. [5] Some reports indicate the strait was effectively closed to commercial shipping for periods, with no ships appearing in the strait on March 1 and 2, 2026. [5] The attacks and warnings have not only disrupted shipping but have also had a profound impact on global energy markets. Oil prices surged, with Brent crude surpassing $100 per barrel and reaching a peak of $126 per barrel on March 8, 2026, the fastest rise in recent history. [5] This closure of the strait has been described as the largest disruption to world energy supply since the 1970s energy crisis and the largest in the history of the world oil market. [5] Beyond oil, other commodity markets such as fertilizer and helium have also suffered supply disruptions and price increases, impacting food security and semiconductor manufacturing. [4, 5] Approximately 21% of the world's oil supply and 25% of global LNG trade were at risk. [3] In response to Iran's actions and warnings, the US announced a naval blockade of maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, which began on April 13, 2026. [6] This blockade, however, has also seen mixed results, with some sanctioned vessels and Iran-linked tankers passing through the strait if they were not heading to Iranian ports. [6, 9, 17] Despite a ceasefire agreement taking effect on April 8, 2026, maritime traffic has remained significantly lower than pre-war levels, with only a fraction of normal traffic observed in the days following the ceasefire. [7] Misunderstandings or disputes over the terms of the ceasefire have also led to temporary suspensions of traffic. [7] India, a nation heavily reliant on energy imports, has been particularly affected. Approximately 85-90% of India's LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz. [8, 13, 20] While India has benefited from historical diplomatic ties with Iran, allowing some of its vessels to pass, the overall disruption has led to increased vigilance and the exploration of alternative sourcing, such as Russian oil. [13, 20] At the peak of the disruption, at least 28 India-flagged vessels were present in the Hormuz region, and the first India-flagged LPG carrier, Jag Vikram, successfully transited the strait on April 11, 2026, after the ceasefire. [8] The situation remains volatile, with ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reopen the strait unconditionally. [17] A summit in Paris focused on efforts to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends is planned. [17] The long-term implications for global trade, energy security, and international law norms are significant, with concerns about escalation and cascading effects on various industries. [12, 16] The crisis highlights the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and its vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts.

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