Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is nearly at a standstill, with only one sanctioned oil tanker risking passage.

BlockBeats News, March 6 — Due to the escalation of the Middle East situation, shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz have almost completely halted. Vessel tracking data shows that no oil tankers have passed through the strait in the past 24 hours, with only two general cargo ships making the passage.

It is reported that a super liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, Danuta I, which is under U.S. sanctions for transporting Iranian LPG, crossed the strait early Friday local time, becoming one of the few ships to pass through this route recently. Data indicates that the vessel departed after loading cargo in the Persian Gulf and experienced AIS signal anomalies or transponder shutdowns during transit, suspected of hiding its track to evade tracking.

The Panama-based shipowner Ithaki Maritime and Trading provides little information and is believed to be associated with “shadow fleets.” Analysts say that with Danuta I successfully passing, more sanctioned or shadow fleet oil tankers may risk crossing the strait in the future.

The Bahrain-based Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) stated that due to the escalation of regional conflicts, dozens of oil and gas tankers are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, severely impacting energy transportation to Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, frequent attacks near the strait and reduced war risk insurance coverage have made commercial shipowners generally reluctant to risk navigation.