Oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz top 12 million barrels daily despite Iranian attacks
Daily oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz exceeded 12 million barrels this month, even as Iran-linked attacks intensified.
Oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reached daily levels above 12 million barrels this month, surpassing the prior month’s average despite a surge in hostile actions attributed to Iran. Data from TankerTracker.com and the maritime analytics firm Kpler show that more than 9 million barrels are now moving under direct US Central Command protection. On Wednesday a cargo ship sank after being hit by an unknown projectile, a incident.
Captains report earning tens of thousands of dollars extra for navigating the route, though a recent wave of heavy attacks caused a temporary drop, with only about 4.6 million barrels moving each day over a six-day average. Ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman have also stayed low, and the volatile security environment keeps Brent crude above $104 a barrel.
Why it matters
The sustained oil flow shows market resilience but highlights ongoing geopolitical risks to global energy supplies.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Gulf oil exporters use alternate routes to sustain supply amid Iran conflict
- Oct 5 A U.S. naval blockade has caused a backlog of hundreds of trucks at the Gürbulak crossing, with waits up to five days.
- Oct 8 A tanker north of Qatar was hit by multiple projectiles, causing casualties.
- Oct 10 According to the Revolutionary Guard, the vessel hit a mine and burst into flames while transiting the Hormuz Strait. The flag of the ship has not been identified. The incident follows a series of recent attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf, including Iran's claim that it shot at a tanker using an "illegal channel." The flare-up has contributed to a rise in global oil prices and renewed worries about the security of one of the world’s key oil transit routes.
- Oct 14 Iran’s security chief publicly named the US‑UAE night‑shuttle as a specific target.
- Oct 14 Iran announced a revised method for targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 14 The International Energy Agency says worldwide oil consumption will fall this year, and diesel supplies will remain constrained through 2027.
- Oct 15 The IEA sent a letter urging member countries to accelerate diesel stock releases ahead of its Oct. 15 board meeting.
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