Chokepoints › Lombok Strait
Lombok Strait shipping traffic
Indonesia · Daily ship transits from IMF PortWatch, latest day Nov 8, 2026.
Traffic is close to its 90-day average (7-day average 40.9 ships a day vs 36.9).
Daily transits, last 30 days
Bright bars: tankers. Faded bars: all other ships.
Why the Lombok Strait matters
The Lombok Strait runs between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok and is deep enough for the largest tankers and bulk carriers that cannot fully load through the Strait of Malacca. Iron ore and coal from Australia to North Asia and some very large crude carriers use it. Traffic here rises when ships avoid Malacca or need its depth, so it is a quiet indicator for Asian raw-material demand and for any disruption in the main Southeast Asian lanes.
Markets to watch
- Iron ore and coal: Australian bulk exports to North Asia use the strait.
- Very large crude carrier rates: The deepest-draft tankers prefer it to Malacca.
Related
Other chokepoints: Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, Korea Strait.
Country risk: China, Japan, South Korea.
FAQ
How many ships pass through the Lombok Strait each day?
In the 7 days to Nov 8, 2026, an average of 40.9 ships a day passed through the Lombok Strait, including 8 tankers, against 36.9 a day over the previous 90 days. Counts come from IMF PortWatch satellite AIS data.
Why do ships use the Lombok Strait instead of Malacca?
It is much deeper, so the largest tankers and bulk carriers can pass fully loaded. It also offers an alternative if the Malacca route is congested or disrupted.
What cargo passes the Lombok Strait?
Mostly Australian iron ore and coal bound for China, Japan and Korea, plus some very large crude carriers.