Strait of Hormuz

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Last updated: 11 August 2026Published: 22 November 2025

VerifiedSource: Official sourceVerified: 2026-08-11

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Situation hub: Red Sea, Suez and Hormuz

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Definition & Explanation

The Strait of Hormuz is the waterway between Oman and Iran connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. In normal operations, about 20.9 million barrels of oil per day passed through it in the first half of 2025 (EIA World Oil Transit Chokepoints) — roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption and about a quarter of seaborne oil trade (IEA). At its narrowest point, designated traffic separation schemes apply. Pipeline bypass routes (Saudi East-West, Habshan–Fujairah) offer only an estimated 3.5–5 million barrels/day of available capacity and cannot replace the strait. For carriers and shippers, disruptions mean higher war-risk premiums, rerouting and freight surcharges. Volatile day-to-day conditions (transit volumes, premiums, diplomacy) are documented in the live hub at https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/topics/strait-of-hormuz.

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Related News

Operational Alerts

Hormuz: Low Vessel Traffic and Significant Intelligence Gaps

UKMTO reports 254 Hormuz transits in seven days. The figures are partially unverified, and many attacked vessels do not report incidents directly.

Oct 22, 20269061 min

Operational Alerts

Hormuz: Report Describes New Attack Tactics Against Vessels

Reuters reports on altered Iranian attack tactics in the Hormuz region. For affected shipments, security situation and travel confirmation remain critical factors.

Oct 21, 202610531 min

Operational Alerts

Cargo Vessel 'Cape Dao' Catches Fire Following Attack in Strait of Hormuz

An attack on the 'Cape Dao' highlights the high risk in the Strait of Hormuz. Shippers and freight forwarders face the threat of service disruptions, increased costs, and delays.

Sep 29, 202629591 min

Operational Alerts

Hormuz: Only Four Cargo Ships Registered in a Single Day

Only four cargo ships were registered in the Strait of Hormuz on that day. Due to disabled AIS, significantly more vessels may have actually transited.

Sep 23, 202648521 min

Regulatory

USA Sanctions BitBank Over Payments Related to Hormuz Strait Passages

OFAC adds BitBank and other parties to sanctions list. Focus on cryptocurrency payments and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sep 23, 202646471 min

Switzerland: Petrol and Diesel Supply Strained Due to Rhine and Hormuz

Operational Alerts

Partner

Switzerland: Petrol and Diesel Supply Strained Due to Rhine and Hormuz

Transport capacity is lacking on the Rhine, while oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is congested. Gasoline and diesel supplies are available, but reserves are on standby.

Aug 19, 202654121 min

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Related Terms

Chokepoint

Hormuz Strait Bottleneck Management

Naval Blockade

War Risk Insurance

war risk area

War Risk Surcharge

Situation hub: Red Sea, Suez and Hormuz

Related News

Hormuz: Low Vessel Traffic and Significant Intelligence Gaps

Hormuz: Report Describes New Attack Tactics Against Vessels

Cargo Vessel 'Cape Dao' Catches Fire Following Attack in Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz: Only Four Cargo Ships Registered in a Single Day

USA Sanctions BitBank Over Payments Related to Hormuz Strait Passages

Switzerland: Petrol and Diesel Supply Strained Due to Rhine and Hormuz

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