Hormuz tanker traffic modestly rises as US escorts more vessels amid blockade uncertainty

U.S. warships have begun escorting additional tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting overall Gulf shipments to roughly half of pre‑war volumes. Analysts note that daily crude flows reported by the administration are around ten million barrels, but independent trackers record between four and six million barrels per day. Maritime data show that in the first three weeks of August, 112 crude, LPG and LNG carriers transited the strait, with a minority using the Iranian‑controlled northern corridor or the U.S.–favoured southern lane while the majority sailed on dark or unclassified tracks. Shipping analysts say the escorted traffic has helped raise daily crude exports from about four million barrels in June to roughly five million barrels in July, easing some pressure on gasoline prices.