Strait of Hormuz activity remains below normal despite diplomatic progress
Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz remains subdued, despite signs of diplomatic progress between the US and Iran. #MarineTraffic data shows that only five confirmed crossings were recorded on 15 June. Traffic consisted primarily of low-risk transits, moderate shadow-fleet activity, and three commercial voyages carrying DPP and steel cargoes, according to Kpler.
▶️ Monitor vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz live on MarineTraffic.
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains uneven
Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz continues, but traffic patterns remain uneven and visibility remains limited. According to #MarineTraffic data, 29 verified vessel crossings were recorded between 10 and 14 June, covering crude, refined products, LPG, chemicals, methanol, and general cargo movements. Activity was concentrated on 11 and 12 June, while directional flows remained imbalanced: 23 crossings moved west-to-east, compared with six in the opposite direction.
Route transparency also remains a key issue, with 18 crossings, or around 62%, classified as Dark or Unknown Route. Two sanctioned vessels were also identified during the period.
What's happening to this Sun-crossing rocket?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, visible on the upper left, launched only about one minute before this amazing image was captured.
As it rose to low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, in late May, the rocket became supersonic before it crossed the disk of the distant Sun -- from the perspective of the well-placed photographer.
The spacecraft's high speed caused bow-shaped compressed-air shockwaves to form across leading surfaces, with at least three visible even outside the Sun's disk because they refract sunlight.
The trailing exhaust caused turbulence visible on the lower right. None of this was damaging to the robotic Starlink 10-53 mission, which delivered 29 communications satellites to low Earth orbit as planned. And if that isn't amazing enough - the Sun had spots!
Image Credit & Copyright: John Winkopp (WAI Media)