Ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz have experienced the most intense series of missile and drone attacks since the onset of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran approximately seven months ago, raising concerns among shipowners and prompting some to avoid the region. Over a two-week period leading up to October 11, 24 vessels were reportedly targeted, including six vessels struck on October 8 alone, marking the deadliest single day of attacks since the conflict began.
The targeted ships comprise a mix of refined product tankers, crude oil tankers, and container ships. Among them were crude oil tankers operated by China’s New Treasure Shipping and South Korea’s Sinokor, as well as an Indian container ship. Recent attacks have injured several seafarers, with two Indian sailors reported missing. India's foreign ministry described the attacks as "deeply concerning" and called for an immediate resolution to the conflict.
The increased frequency and severity of the strikes are believed to reflect Iran’s efforts to enhance its anti-ship missile capabilities, according to experts at the Institute for the Study of War. The group noted that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that ships disabling their transponders to avoid detection could become targets, citing alleged illegal oil smuggling. This has complicated efforts to monitor and ensure security in the strategic waterway.
Oil exports from the Persian Gulf had climbed to pre-conflict levels in September, reaching an average of 15.5 million barrels per day. However, following these recent attacks, oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply to around 2.9 million barrels on October 11, representing a decline of roughly 43 percent compared to pre-conflict averages. While some data may be adjusted as more vessels are tracked by satellite, the overall trend highlights a significant disruption in the transit of energy supplies.
Commercial responses to the heightened risk have included rerouting ships away from key anchorage points such as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and shifting cargoes to safer ports, notably those in the Gulf of Mexico. This repositioning, alongside increased cargo transfers between vessels, has contributed to delays and lengthened voyages, further tightening tanker availability. These supply constraints have propelled freight rates for supertankers to new highs, with earnings surpassing $800,000 per day as of early October.
The escalation in attacks underscores ongoing tensions surrounding control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, amid the broader conflict between Iran and US-backed forces. While the Iranian government appears intent on asserting dominance over the waterway, international stakeholders face mounting challenges in safeguarding commercial navigation and maintaining energy supply stability in the region.