Gulf shipping traffic via Hormuz below 10-day average, data shows

NEW DELHI: Six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, down from 11 a day earlier and well below the 10-day average of around 13, preliminary shipping data showed on Thursday. A very large gas carrier, two long-range fuel tankers, one Supramax tanker and one Panamax tanker entered the strait from the Gulf of Oman, Kpler data showed as of 0405 GMT. A laden VLGC exited the strait into the Gulf of Oman. The number of vessels transiting the waterway could change as some ships typically switch off transponders during the voyage. Iran added more ships it deems non-compliant and subject to fines, confiscation or detention if they try to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a government website, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The restricted list includes very large crude carriers, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers, and clean product vessels, among others. Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that an Iranian attack on an oil tanker owned by its national shipping company had killed two Filipino seafarers. In the Bab el-Mandeb strait, 31 commodity vessels crossed that waterway on Wednesday, the highest number since August 24 and above the 10