Why Ships Still Transit the Strait of Hormuz Despite Risk

Some operators still see commercial reasons to cross, even as attacks and reduced traffic make the route dangerous.

WorldOctober 16, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

Some vessels may keep crossing because demand for Middle Eastern energy and commercial opportunities can make the route worth considering despite the danger. ¹
Two Singapore-flagged container ships were attacked this week: GFS Pride sank after a projectile strike and fire, while GFS Giselle was damaged. Crews from both vessels were reported safe. ¹
Crossings fell to 131 in the week ending October 14, from 176 the week before, but the reported decline did not mean all traffic stopped. ¹
The Strait is important to energy trade: before the 2026 crisis, about a quarter of seaborne oil trade and a fifth of liquefied natural gas trade passed through it. ³

Why are ships still crossing the Strait of Hormuz?

Some shipping operators may continue to consider a crossing because the strait remains a route for energy and other commercial traffic. Maritime experts cited by CNBC said demand for Middle Eastern energy and business opportunities can keep some operators willing to accept the risk. ¹

That does not mean every company is willing to go. CNBC reported that major container lines were largely staying away, while some operators might still seek opportunities to transit. Decisions can differ between companies and vessels. ¹

What happened to the Singapore ships?

Two Singapore-registered container ships, GFS Pride and GFS Giselle, were attacked during the week of October 16, 2026. GFS Pride sank after it was struck by a projectile and caught fire. GFS Giselle was damaged. Crew members from both ships were reported safe. ¹

The attacks have raised fresh concerns about the safety of commercial shipping through the strait. The available reporting does not establish who was responsible for these particular attacks, so the incident should not be attributed to a specific group on the basis of these sources. ¹

How dangerous is the route, and is traffic stopping?

The attacks show that ships face serious risks, but traffic had not completely stopped. Crossings fell to 131 in the week ending October 14, compared with 176 the previous week, according to figures reported by CNBC. ¹

A fall in crossings is not a full measure of how safe the route is or how much cargo is moving. The sources provided do not give a complete breakdown by vessel type, cargo, or operator, nor do they establish how traffic will change next.

Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter to oil and trade?

The strait is a narrow but important passage for energy shipments. Before the crisis began in 2026, about 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade and 20% of its liquefied natural gas trade passed through it, according to the supplied summary of the crisis. ³

When crossings become more difficult or fewer ships use the route, energy and other goods can face disruption. The sources establish the strait's importance and report a decline in crossings, but they do not quantify the effect on oil prices, delivery schedules, or the cost of goods.

What should readers watch for next?

The immediate questions are whether attacks continue, whether more operators suspend crossings, and how the number of ships using the strait changes. CNBC's reporting captures expert views that some operators may keep transiting, not a guarantee that they will do so. ¹

The supplied sources do not provide a dependable forecast for oil prices or trade costs. Those effects depend on developments in shipping and energy markets that are not established here.

What we don't know yet

Who was responsible for the attacks on GFS Pride and GFS Giselle is not established in the supplied reporting.
It is not yet clear whether shipping traffic will fall further or whether more operators will avoid the strait.
The sources do not quantify the attacks' effect on oil prices, freight costs, or delivery times.

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Questions people ask

Are ships still passing through the Strait of Hormuz?

Yes. CNBC reported 131 crossings in the week ending October 14, 2026, down from 176 the week before. The traffic had fallen, but had not stopped. ¹

Why do ships risk crossing the Strait of Hormuz?

Some operators may see strong demand for Middle Eastern energy or commercial opportunities that make a crossing worth considering. Maritime experts told CNBC that some shipping activity could continue despite the security threats. ¹

What happened to GFS Pride and GFS Giselle?

Both Singapore-registered container ships were attacked during the week of October 16, 2026. GFS Pride sank after a projectile strike and fire, and GFS Giselle was damaged; crews from both were reported safe. ¹

How important is Hormuz to global oil and gas trade?

Before the 2026 crisis, about 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade and 20% of its liquefied natural gas trade passed through the strait. That makes disruption there relevant to energy shipments, although the supplied sources do not quantify price effects. ³

Will the attacks stop shipping through Hormuz?

The available reporting does not show that all shipping has stopped. CNBC reported that major container lines were largely staying away, while experts said some operators might continue seeking opportunities to transit. ¹

Sources

One Singapore ship was sunk, but here's why others are still transiting the Strait of Hormuz — CNBC, 2026-10-16
2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis — Wikipedia