The number of tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz has fallen over the past 24 hours to its lowest level in two months, as renewed fighting between the US and Iran and attacks on vessels heighten safety concerns.
Shipping industry sources said vessels are increasingly switching off their public AIS tracking transponders, making it difficult to determine how many ships are moving.
But according to tracking analysis from Kpler, oil and gas tanker traffic fell to its lowest level since 25 May.
"Should the renewed escalation in the strait lead to another prolonged closure of Hormuz, the world will find itself in a much tougher spot," ship broker Gibson said in a report.
"With global inventories rapidly depleted in recent months, this is a recipe for much tighter supply, higher prices and significant downside risk for tanker markets," it added.
The oil products tanker Sea Faith was among the few visible vessels sailing towards the strait entrance on the Iranian side, according to LSEG and MarineTraffic ship-tracking data.
