Kpler data showed ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb
fell sharply on Wednesday. Two vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on
Wednesday, down from eight the prior day and well below pre-February levels of
about 130–140 ships per day. Kpler recorded one vessel — a Bahamas‑flagged dry
bulk — through Bab al-Mandeb on Wednesday, versus 20 the day before; the week
before the July 20 Red Sea blockade averaged about 41 daily transits.
Iran-aligned Houthi forces implemented the July 20 Red Sea blockade, saying it
was in response to a Saudi blockade of Yemen; Saudi Arabia denied the claim.
