Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz plummeted by over 90% in March.

Since the outbreak of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy transport, has been severely disrupted. Market services data shows that since March, the number of merchant ships passing through the strait has decreased by 95% compared to before the conflict. AFP, citing data from market services firm Kepler, reported on March 23 that from March 1 to 4 PM GMT on March 23, only 144 merchant ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a 95% decrease compared to before the conflict broke out on February 28. Of these, 91 were oil and gas transport vessels, most of which sailed eastward out of the strait. Data from the Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational organization led by the US Navy, shows that approximately 138 ships passed through the strait daily before the conflict. AFP reported that the ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz on March 23 appeared to have all used a northern route. This route is reportedly located north of Iran's Larak Island and was approved by the Iranian government. (Xinhua)