JUST IN: Ship-Tracking Data Shows Most Vessels Passing Through Strait of Hormuz Over Past 24 Hours Were Linked to Iran
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Energy Security & Geopolitics
Ship-tracking data reveals that the vast majority of vessels successfully transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours were Iranian-linked or flying flags of convenience with established ties to Tehran, underscoring the selective nature of Iran’s ceasefire-era shipping regime. The data confirms that despite the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran announced on April 7, the strategic waterway remains under tight Iranian control, with standard commercial shipping lanes largely unused .
The pattern of traffic reflects a “two-tier” system in which Iran grants passage primarily to vessels from “friendly” nations or those willing to coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while the vast majority of international shipping remains stranded or diverted .
Iranian-Linked Vessels Dominate Limited Traffic
According to maritime analytics firm Windward and ship-tracking data from Kpler, only a handful of vessels have transited the strait since the ceasefire took effect — a fraction of the normal daily traffic of 130-140 vessels . Among those that have successfully passed, the majority have been Iranian-flagged vessels or ships flying flags of convenience from countries with existing Iranian relationships .
| Date | Vessels Transited | Notable Iranian-Linked Movements |
|---|---|---|
| April 8 | 5 bulk carriers | All via IRGC-controlled corridor |
| April 9 | 7-9 vessels | Iranian-flagged tankers, Iranian-linked operators |
| April 10 | Limited | Majority Iranian or allied flags |
Sources: Kpler, Windward, MarineTraffic.com
On April 8, only five bulk carriers were tracked outbound through the strait, all transiting via a corridor controlled by the IRGC rather than standard commercial routes . No oil or gas tankers transited on that day .
By April 9, total daily transits had risen modestly to between seven and nine vessels, but the composition remained heavily skewed. The Iranian-flagged container ship Flora departed Shahid Rajaee port and was tracked transiting eastward at 18.2 knots with a draught suggesting a loaded vessel .
The Comoros-flagged oil and chemical tanker Elpis, which departed Iran’s Bushehr port, was also observed near Qeshm Island . Other vessels flying flags of convenience from Cameroon and Somalia were similarly observed in Iranian waters, suggesting coordination with Tehran .
The ‘Toll Booth’ Corridor: IRGC Control in Practice
The vessels that have successfully transited have done so exclusively through an IRGC-controlled corridor near Larak Island, rather than the standard shipping lanes that run through the center of the strait . Iranian authorities have designated this alternative route to avoid what they describe as “potential collisions with sea mines” in the main traffic zone .
Key features of the current transit regime include:
- Prior IRGC Approval: All vessels must coordinate their movements with the IRGC Navy and receive authorization before attempting passage
- Designated Corridor: Ships must use the northern route near Larak Island, passing close to Iran’s coastline
- Alternative Routes: Iranian media has published charts detailing “alternative” routes that keep vessels within Iranian-controlled waters
- No Standard Commercial Lanes: Normal shipping lanes through the middle of the strait remain unused
A senior Iranian source told ITV News that the strait is open to all vessels that coordinate their movements with Iranian authorities, provided there is no “hostile behavior” .
The Nidi Incident: Tight Control Demonstrated
An incident involving the Botswana-flagged LNG tanker Nidi illustrates how tight Iranian control remains. The vessel was attempting to leave the Persian Gulf through a route reportedly directed by the IRGC, but it suddenly turned back and returned, according to ship-tracking data .
Analysts interpret this as evidence that even vessels attempting to comply with Iranian requirements face unpredictable outcomes. The IRGC has explicitly warned that “uncoordinated ships may be targeted and destroyed,” creating a chilling effect on commercial shipping .
Vast Backlog Remains Stranded
Despite the trickle of Iranian-linked traffic, a massive backlog of vessels remains stranded in and around the Gulf. According to maritime analytics:
| Stranded Vessels | Count |
|---|---|
| Total vessels stranded | ~3,200 |
| Tankers and cargo ships | ~800 |
| Stranded in Gulf (Lloyd’s List) | 600+ (including 325 tankers) |
Sources: Windward, Lloyd’s List Intelligence
The report from Windward indicates that the current situation “reflects not a recovery phase but a supervised pause, with operational control still firmly in place” .
Premiums and Risk: Why Commercial Shipping Stays Away
Elevated war-risk insurance premiums continue to be a key constraint preventing a broader return of mainstream commercial shipping . According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, insurance premiums for tankers transiting the strait could reach as high as 3% of a vessel’s value — potentially $7 million for a single transit .
Maritime Industry Australia CEO Angela Gillham told the ABC that insurers face two major considerations: the willingness of operators to risk crew lives and the availability of coverage. “The premiums are very high, and it’s not always available,” she said, noting that “an insurer would not probably provide insurance when there are live threats” .
Iran’s Legislative Push to Formalize Control
Adding to the uncertainty, Iran’s parliament is pursuing emergency legislation on the Strait of Hormuz that could formalize Tehran’s claim to control transit through the waterway .
Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Hajibabaei announced that “we are now pursuing the double-urgency Strait of Hormuz bill to turn it into law” . While he gave no details on the bill’s contents, Iran’s parliament had previously been working on legislation to collect tolls from vessels transiting the strait.
The IRGC has reportedly already been operating a “toll booth” system to control traffic since imposing its blockade in early March . Iran’s 10-point peace proposal presented to the United States reportedly includes a “security protocol governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz under coordination with Iranian armed forces” .
Oman Rejects Toll Fees
Oman’s transport minister has pushed back on Tehran’s plans to impose tolls, stating that no fees would be charged and that Muscat had signed all international maritime agreements stipulating free transit . This rare public disagreement between allies highlights the contentious nature of Iran’s strait control ambitions.
Saudi Arabia has also insisted that the strait must remain open “in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, without any restrictions” .
The Critical Testing Window
Analysts have identified April 8 to 10 as a “critical testing window” for the ceasefire’s impact on shipping. If transit volumes increase without incident, market participants may begin reassessing risk. A subsequent decision window between April 11 and 14 will depend on the stability of the ceasefire and enforcement conditions .
Even under a best-case scenario, clearing the backlog of stranded energy cargoes is expected to take weeks, while global trade flows may take months to return to pre-crisis levels .
Sparta Commodities senior oil market analyst June Goh told the ABC: “We will need to see a constant flow of crude [oil] coming out before they can re-inventorise the very, very depleted crude stocks in the Asian refineries’ tanks… I would say it is a minimum of three months” .
Conclusion: A Strait Divided
Ship-tracking data from the past 48 hours paints a clear picture: the Strait of Hormuz has not reopened to normal commercial traffic. Instead, a new, tightly controlled regime has taken hold, in which Iranian-linked vessels and those willing to coordinate with the IRGC are granted passage through a designated corridor, while the vast majority of international shipping remains stranded or rerouted.
As Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of ADNOC, told reporters: the strait “cannot be considered open yet. Access is still restricted and controlled, and ships are allowed through only under certain conditions” .
The coming days will determine whether this limited, Iranian-dominated traffic pattern represents a temporary pause or the emergence of a new normal — one in which the world’s most critical energy chokepoint operates not under international law, but under the supervision of the IRGC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire?
Since the ceasefire took effect on April 8, daily transits have ranged from 5 to 9 vessels — a fraction of the normal daily traffic of 130-140 vessels. On April 8, five bulk carriers transited. On April 9, seven to nine vessels transited .
2. What types of vessels are successfully passing?
The vessels that have successfully transited have been predominantly bulk carriers, Iranian-flagged vessels, and ships flying flags of convenience from countries with existing Iranian relationships (Comoros, Cameroon, Somalia). No oil or gas tankers transited on April 8, though some Iranian-linked tankers moved on April 9 .
3. Why are most transiting vessels Iranian-linked?
Iran has implemented a selective access regime requiring prior coordination with the IRGC. Vessels from “friendly” nations or those willing to coordinate are granted passage, while vessels from nations Iran considers “enemies” — primarily the US and its allies — remain effectively blocked .
4. What route are vessels required to use?
Iran has designated an alternative route near Larak Island, passing close to Iran’s coastline. Vessels are required to coordinate with the IRGC Navy and use this designated corridor to avoid what Iran describes as “potential collisions with sea mines” in the main traffic zone .
5. How many vessels remain stranded?
According to maritime analytics, approximately 3,200 vessels remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, including nearly 800 tankers and cargo ships. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reports more than 600 ships, including 325 tankers, remain stranded in the Gulf .
6. Is Iran planning to formalize its control over the strait?
Yes. Iran’s parliament is pursuing emergency legislation on the Strait of Hormuz that could formalize Tehran’s claim to control transit. The bill is being processed under “double-urgency” status, and would potentially allow Iran to collect tolls from vessels transiting the waterway .
7. How has Oman responded to Iran’s toll plans?
Oman’s transport minister has publicly rejected Iran’s plans to impose tolls, stating that no fees would be charged and that Muscat had signed all international maritime agreements stipulating free transit .
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