Strait of Hormuz
Oil / LNG ChokepointPersian Gulf · Between Iran and Oman
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil chokepoint. Approximately 20% of global petroleum and 25% of the world's LNG transits this 33-mile-wide passage daily, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, UAE, and Kuwait all depend on Hormuz for oil exports. Any credible disruption causes an immediate spike in Brent crude and tanker day rates.
Live Vessel Traffic
AIS coverage limited
Terrestrial AIS has limited coverage of the Strait of Hormuz. Use the live map above for vessel positions.
Live Vessel Map
Live AIS vessel positions via MarineTraffic
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Correlated Assets
Live prices · 5-min cacheTanker Stocks
Largest crude tanker operator — most direct Hormuz equity play
Diversified tanker fleet — strong correlation to Persian Gulf activity
Mid-size tankers — volatile around OPEC and Hormuz escalation news
VLCC operator — very large crude carriers dominate Hormuz traffic
Energy Futures
Hormuz disruption spikes WTI immediately via supply shock fears
Brent is more sensitive to Middle East supply — primary signal
LNG from Qatar transits Hormuz — disruption tightens global LNG
ETFs
Liquid crude proxy for non-futures traders
Broad energy services exposure
Key Risk Factors
Iranian military threats
Iran periodically threatens to close the strait in response to sanctions or regional escalation.
Houthi spillover
Red Sea Houthi attacks have diverted some tanker traffic — further escalation could extend to Hormuz.
US-Iran sanctions pressure
Sanctions enforcement affects how many Iranian barrels transit, altering effective throughput.
OPEC+ output changes
Saudi, UAE, and Kuwaiti export volumes all flow through Hormuz — OPEC cuts reduce traffic.
Floating storage buildups
Tankers anchoring offshore to store crude signal oversupply — a bearish crude signal.
Trading Context
Why Hormuz matters more than other chokepoints: Unlike Panama or Suez, there is no bypass route for Persian Gulf oil. If Hormuz closes, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait lose their primary export pathway. The Strait carries approximately 17–18 million barrels per day.
Floating storage signal: When tankers anchor in the strait or nearby anchorages rather than transiting, it typically signals either a demand shock (buyers deferring delivery) or sanctions-related holding patterns. An anchored ratio above 25% is a watch signal; above 40% is elevated.
How to trade a Hormuz disruption: Long Brent (BZ) and tanker stocks (FRO, INSW) are the primary plays. LNG-exposed names (GLNG, FLEX) benefit from Qatar LNG disruption. The reaction is typically fast — futures move within hours of credible threat news.
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AI-generated analysis · Not financial advice · Legal disclosures