Strait of Hormuz vessel transits drop to four-day low July 2: CAS

A total of 43 vessels crossed the strait on July 2, down from 53 the previous day, according to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea. The decline marks the lowest daily transit count in four days and comes amid continuing jitters around the waterway. Outbound crossings numbered 23 vessels, exceeding inbound movements for the first time since June 26. Energy tankers accounted for less than half of total transits, with five vessels crossing without transponders activated.      Nearly 60% of the transits comprised Iran-linked vessels.      Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed the rate to carry a 140,000 metric ton cargo of crude from the Persian Gulf to UK/Continent at $101.37/mt July 3, level on the day and above a five-year average of $26.82/mt.          Among inbound traffic, 10 tankers moved into the Persian Gulf, comprising two LPG vessels, four VLCCs, two Suezmax vessels and two product tankers. Six of these inbound tankers were linked to Iran. Three Sinokor-linked VLCCs entered the strait for the first time since the start of the conflict, alongside the US-sanctioned VLCC Serena, which belongs to National Iranian Tanker Company.      No VLCC exits were recorded on July 2. Outbound tanker transits comprised eight product tankers, one Aframax, one Suezmax and one LPG carrier. The Aframax Nordic Vega, belonging to Nordic American Tankers, exited the Gulf laden with fuel oil loaded from Kuwait’s Al Zour refinery after remaining inside the waterway since the start of the conflict.