How many ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz?
How Many Ships Are Crossing the Strait of Hormuz?
The first vessel to navigate the Strait of Hormuz under the new US restrictions has been recorded, according to maritime tracking reports. The US Central Command declared a naval embargo on Iranian ports late Sunday, but clarified it would not hinder ships moving between other nations. A container ship, Paya Lebar, is currently sailing from India to Dubai, UAE.
Just before the blockade took effect at 14:00 GMT on Monday, four vessels passed through the strait. These were all oil tankers, as noted by MarineTraffic data. Among them, the Auroura is listed on the US sanctions registry for its role in transporting Iranian crude. The NV Sunshine, meanwhile, is under suspicion by the group United Against Nuclear Iran for aiding similar shipments.
The strait has become a central stage in the US-Israeli standoff with Iran, following Tehran’s closure of a vital shipping route. President Trump justified the blockade, stating it was a response to Iran’s refusal to reopen the channel. He also warned that the US Navy would “blow to hell” any Iranian forces targeting them and would act against ships paying transit fees to Iran.
Since the conflict began six weeks ago, shipping disruptions have rattled global markets. Energy prices have fluctuated, and the reliance of international supply chains on this critical waterway has been exposed. Jakob Larsen of the Baltic and International Maritime Council expressed concern to BBC Verify about the risk of direct attacks on vessels due to the blockade.
As of 13 April, BBC Verify has recorded 23 ships traversing the strait since the ceasefire talks collapsed on Saturday. At least 16 of these are associated with Iranian ports, flagged under Iran, or sanctioned for ties to the country. Before the conflict, an average of 138 ships daily crossed the strait, per the Joint Maritime Information Centre.
Shifting Routes and Safety Concerns
Recent tracking reveals ships are opting for a northern path through the strait, near Iran’s coast, within its territorial waters. Previously, vessels took a more central route. Thomas Kazakos of the International Chamber of Shipping highlighted the uncertainty of sea mines, urging confirmation of safe passage for ships and crews.
The IRGC Navy outlined permitted routes to avoid mine collisions, designating a central zone as “dangerous.” The US has deployed two destroyers, USS Frank E Petersen and USS Michael Murphy, to clear mines laid by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. If non-Iranian ships resume transit at higher rates, experts anticipate priority will be given to unloading fully loaded tankers, as nearly 800 vessels have been delayed for weeks.
“You’ve had nearly 800 ships stuck in there for several weeks. Most of them are now loaded with cargo so the priority is going to be to get them out,” said Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List.
Additional reporting by Joshua Cheetham
