Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has effectively ground to a halt amid renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. The critical waterway, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, has seen a dramatic plunge in vessel crossings, raising concerns for already strained energy markets.

No large vessels have been broadcasting their location via the US-coordinated route since Tuesday, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Traceable crossings along the lane, which hugs the coast of Oman, have "effectively ground to a halt," the maritime data company stated on Thursday.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence data revealed that no vessels exceeding 10,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) have transited the "Southern Highway" with their automatic identification system (AIS) switched on since July 7. The report noted that at least two ships are believed to have crossed "dark," meaning their AIS was not active. This contrasts sharply with Monday, when approximately 130 vessels typically transited the strait daily before the conflict began in late February.

Maritime intelligence platform Windward reported tracking only five vessel crossings on Wednesday and early Thursday morning, a significant drop from the usual volume. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) assessment on Thursday noted that traffic levels reflect a "cautious posture" by shipping lines given the "elevated threat environment."

Experts warn that a prolonged crisis with intermittent disruptions could lead shipping companies to make more permanent decisions to reroute or prioritize other ports. John Bradford, executive director of the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies, highlighted Iran's capability to strike ships across the Persian Gulf and into the Gulf of Oman, exposing all regional shipping to risk.

The escalation follows a series of reported explosions in southern Iran on Thursday. These incidents occurred after US strikes targeted dozens of Iranian sites on Tuesday and Wednesday. A US official indicated to Al Jazeera that US forces were not responsible for the latest explosions, the perpetrators of which remain unconfirmed.

Earlier on Thursday, Iranian officials and media reported that Tehran's forces had targeted US military assets and other sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq. These actions were described as retaliation for the US strikes, which Washington initiated in response to unspecified provocations.

The renewed hostilities in this crucial maritime corridor underscore the volatile geopolitical situation and its direct impact on international trade and energy security, leaving unresolved questions about the duration and ultimate consequences of this latest flare-up.