Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz experienced a brief increase this week before declining amid heightened security concerns and a temporary suspension of evacuation efforts. On Wednesday, 73 vessels passed through the strategic 21-mile waterway between Iran and Oman, marking the highest daily total since the conflict with Iran began in late February. This figure represents more than double the traffic recorded the previous day, according to MarineTraffic data.

The surge followed the United States’ recent lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil as part of a ceasefire agreement, which raised hopes for safer navigation and increased maritime activity in the region. Additionally, the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) initiated a humanitarian operation targeting the evacuation of approximately 11,000 stranded seafarers and 500 vessels from the area.

Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, noted that much of the recent movement involved ships long confined to the Gulf, prioritizing humanitarian aid and select Iranian tankers benefiting from the lifted sanctions. He cautioned, however, that this does not represent an unrestricted return to pre-conflict levels of traffic. Prior to the fighting, daily vessel transits through the strait ranged between 110 and 160; since the outbreak of hostilities, averages have fallen below ten per day.

Efforts to manage safe passage included the introduction on Wednesday of two new shipping lanes—one near Iran’s coast and another closer to Oman—designed to avoid mines and other hazards. Ships were scheduled to transit gradually under direct coordination from the relevant authorities.

These efforts were disrupted Thursday when a vessel was struck in the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. official attributed the incident to an Iranian drone attack, though Iran has not claimed responsibility. The attack prompted the IMO to pause its evacuation program as a precaution. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized that the affected vessel was not operating under the organization’s evacuation framework but underscored the need to ensure continued safety guarantees for vessels in the region.

Following the attack, Iran issued new directives restricting ship movements, warning that passage near Oman’s coast was no longer permitted and that safe transit would only be granted along routes declared to Iranian authorities. This move sparked concerns over the potential for further hostilities targeting vessels attempting to enter or exit the strait.

Ship traffic data reflected a sharp decline on Friday, roughly halving from the midweek peak. Industry observers, including Sanne Manders, president of the global logistics company Flexport, highlighted that current transits mainly involve Iranian-flagged vessels and a limited number of ships from Taiwanese carrier Evergreen. Major global carriers have yet to resume regular operations in the strait, indicating that the recent uptick may not signal a broader reopening.

Maritime operators have faced sustained risks since the conflict began, with at least 46 attacks on ships and 14 fatalities reported by the IMO. These dangers, including mines and missile strikes, have led insurers to withdraw coverage under wartime clauses, further complicating shipping logistics. Some companies, such as Hapag-Lloyd, have occasionally relied on U.S. naval escorts, though such protections have not been consistently available.

As the IMO works to reassess security conditions and obtain necessary assurances, shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to remain subdued. Dominguez stressed the ongoing commitment to monitoring safety and coordinating with regional actors before resuming the evacuation and movement of vessels.