Hormuz Strait Shipping Plummets as US Blockade Forces Iranian Tankers to Turn Back
Shipping volume in the Strait of Hormuz has dropped from over 100 vessels per day to single digits due to the conflict and US blockade. Recently, six Iranian tankers carrying over 10 million barrels of oil were forced to turn back, highlighting the severe disruption of this vital global energy route.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 02:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 03:02 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 03:04 (2 min after Collected)
LONDON (Reuters/CNA) - According to vessel tracking data, six oil tankers carrying Iranian oil were forced to turn back recently due to a U.S. blockade, highlighting the impact of the Iranian war on the world's most vital oil export route, the Strait of Hormuz.
According to data from shipping tracking agency Kpler and satellite analysis firm SynMax, since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, the number of ships entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted from 125-140 per day to just 7 in the past 24 hours. None of these seven carried oil destined for international markets.
The data shows that these seven ships include the Iranian bulk carrier Bavand departing from Iranian ports and other vessels leaving from Iraqi ports.
Iran has implemented shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. announced a blockade of Iran-related shipping starting at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on the 13th. The U.S. military stated on the 25th that 37 ships have been forced to turn back since then.
Approximately 20% of the world's daily oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly two months into the war, maritime activity remains restricted as negotiations between Iran and the U.S. remain deadlocked.
The U.S. military has not detailed the types or exact locations of the intercepted and diverted vessels.
Shipping brokerage Clarksons stated in a report today: 'Iran is launching attacks and seizing ships for failing to comply with its navigation regulations, while the U.S. continues its blockade operations.'
According to satellite analysis by TankerTrackers.com, six tankers recently forced back to Iranian ports were estimated to carry a total of 10.5 million barrels of oil.
The U.S. military has ordered some vessels to turn back in the Gulf of Oman, while some others have been allowed to proceed.
Data from TankerTrackers.com showed that two tankers carrying about 4 million barrels of Iranian oil broke through the blockade on the 24th and headed for Asia.
Separately, four empty Iranian tankers returning from Asia were last spotted near the coast of Pakistan.
Analysts noted that Iran-related vessels forced to reroute by the U.S. military have turned east as far as the Malacca Strait. Whether these cargoes can successfully reach buyers or will be intercepted and returned to Iran remains unknown.
Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 sailors remain trapped within the Persian Gulf.
According to data from shipping tracking agency Kpler and satellite analysis firm SynMax, since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, the number of ships entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted from 125-140 per day to just 7 in the past 24 hours. None of these seven carried oil destined for international markets.
The data shows that these seven ships include the Iranian bulk carrier Bavand departing from Iranian ports and other vessels leaving from Iraqi ports.
Iran has implemented shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. announced a blockade of Iran-related shipping starting at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on the 13th. The U.S. military stated on the 25th that 37 ships have been forced to turn back since then.
Approximately 20% of the world's daily oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly two months into the war, maritime activity remains restricted as negotiations between Iran and the U.S. remain deadlocked.
The U.S. military has not detailed the types or exact locations of the intercepted and diverted vessels.
Shipping brokerage Clarksons stated in a report today: 'Iran is launching attacks and seizing ships for failing to comply with its navigation regulations, while the U.S. continues its blockade operations.'
According to satellite analysis by TankerTrackers.com, six tankers recently forced back to Iranian ports were estimated to carry a total of 10.5 million barrels of oil.
The U.S. military has ordered some vessels to turn back in the Gulf of Oman, while some others have been allowed to proceed.
Data from TankerTrackers.com showed that two tankers carrying about 4 million barrels of Iranian oil broke through the blockade on the 24th and headed for Asia.
Separately, four empty Iranian tankers returning from Asia were last spotted near the coast of Pakistan.
Analysts noted that Iran-related vessels forced to reroute by the U.S. military have turned east as far as the Malacca Strait. Whether these cargoes can successfully reach buyers or will be intercepted and returned to Iran remains unknown.
Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 sailors remain trapped within the Persian Gulf.