22 vessels transited Hormuz in past 24 hours: CNN report

• Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased slightly ahead of the US blockade deadline.
• Trump's deadline for the blockade is set for 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Shipping volumes remain well below pre-war levels.

Commercial vessel traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz experienced a minor uptick in the last 24 hours, according to MarineTraffic data obtained by CNN, as maritime operators rushed to navigate the vital waterway before the onset of a looming American naval blockade.

The localized increase in movement comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time deadline, at which point the US military is scheduled to begin enforcing a strict naval blockade on the chokepoint.

Rush before blockade

According to shipping telemetry tracked by MarineTraffic, at least 22 commercial vessels safely transited the Strait of Hormuz during the 24-hour window preceding the deadline.

The division of ships entering and exiting the Persian Gulf during this critical window included:

Incoming traffic: A total of 14 ships entered the Gulf, comprised of 11 cargo vessels and three oil tankers.

Outgoing traffic: An additional eight ships departed the region, consisting of four cargo vessels and four tankers.

While the figures represent a slight rise in immediate activity as captains race against the clock, the volume remains significantly depressed compared to normal historical levels.

Prior to the outbreak of regional hostilities, an average of roughly 110 commercial vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz daily.

Ongoing military tensions and the threat of active enforcement by the U.S. Navy have kept crossing rates severely subdued for several weeks.

The impending blockade follows President Trump's declaration of a zero-tolerance policy regarding Iranian cargo and port operations, a move designed to completely restrict Iran's maritime trade while keeping the channel open for non-Iranian traffic.