Iran Shipping Update – August 24, 2026

President Trump has announced an unprecedentedly sweeping “Economic D-Day” operation against the Iranian regime. The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains highly volatile. Iran continues to target commercial shipping and Gulf States, while Tehran’s Yemeni Houthi partners continue to threaten an expansion of the maritime conflict into the Red Sea.

U.S. Blockade and Sanctions

On July 14, U.S. forces reimposed the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas while supporting compliant traffic in regional waters. As of August 24, U.S. forces have redirected 71 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 3 that didn't comply, and boarded 2 to ensure total compliance. Meanwhile, more than 40 vessels supporting humanitarian aid have been allowed to pass.

On August 19, President Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign targeting Iran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent subsequently emphasized that the initiative—paired with the naval blockade—is designed to collapse the regime. On August 24, Secretary Bessent announced sanctions on an international network of brokers, companies, and ghost fleet tankers responsible for the transportation of Iranian oil. Four out of the five newly sanctioned tankers were previously listed on UANI's Ghost Armada including: G SILVER (IMO 9139696), QUANTUM HOPE (IMO 9233650), VOYAGE ELITE (IMO 9286138) and TELA (IMO 9189110).

Houthi Blockade

On July 20, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabian ports. On August 24, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at a Saudi Arabian -owned and -flagged supertanker AMZAN (9693745) sailing through the Red Sea.

Houthi threats and attacks against Saudi-linked shipping are already prompting some tankers, but not all, to reroute in the Red Sea. Rising insecurity in the Red Sea has caused an initial drop in tanker transits through Bab el-Mandeb since the Houthis declared their blockade, but have been slowly rising over the past week, according to data published by Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). Numerous tankers have been observed broadcasting “CHINESE OWNER” or “ARMED GUARD ON BOARD” as their destination during the transit of the Bab el-Mandeb, likely to help prevent being targeted.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the Iran War, 70 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

The two latest maritime incidents on August 18, immediately following the expiration of the MoU were Iranian attacks on two separate vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks resulted in one seafarer casualty, bringing the total number of seafarer casualties to 19, according to the IMO.

Prior to the outbreak of the Iran War, about 138 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz daily. Throughout the conflict, marine traffic data showed large clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, with many ships refraining from transiting due to safety concerns. After the signing of the MoU, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported an increase in open transits through the Strait of Hormuz. On June 24, JMIC recorded 54 transits, the highest daily total since the outbreak of the conflict. As of August 22, JMIC has reported a total of 840 vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the date of the signing of the MoU.  

Open transits of commercial vessels through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz declined following the IRGC strikes on commercial shipping starting July 7 but have not ceased entirely. Since the strikes, the traffic has been dominated by Iranian- and Chinese-linked vessels transiting via the northern corridor. Over the past week, an increasing number of vessels have transited the southern corridor without broadcasting AIS location data, with many of these movements facilitated by U.S. forces. 

JMIC reported 74 "U.S. facilitated" transits over the 72-hour period of August 20 - 22, for a total of 1155 facilitated transits since June 20.  Over the last month (July 19 – August 22), these facilitated transits increased from ~4.5 per day to ~36 per day.

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers Departing the Gulf of Oman

Since the announcement of the MoU on June 14, UANI has tracked 67 tankers departing the Gulf of Oman laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals. These exports represent approximately 80 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $6 billion for the IRGC, which continues to fund Iran’s missile and drone programs. These figures are estimates. The pricing and volumes associated with Chinese purchases of Iranian crude are not publicly disclosed, though such cargoes are widely assessed to be sold at a discount of around 10 to 12 dollars per barrel.

Tankers laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals are currently clustering in anchorages along the Iranian coastline due to the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. Since the reinstatement of the blockade, around only five handymax-size tankers carrying Iranian LPG have successfully passed the blockade line. UANI has, however, not tracked any tanker laden with Iranian crude oil that has successfully departed the Gulf of Oman and avoided enforcement actions by U.S. forces since July 12, before the blockade was reinstated.  

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers

UANI has identified at least 51 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude, but also other petroleum products and LPG — currently operating along the Iranian coastline.   

Positions of tankers laden with Iranian oil on August 24 (Credit: UANI)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17, UANI has tracked at least 46 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, 15 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. On August 24, a tanker was observed discharging ballast to load Iranian crude off Kharg Island’s T-Jetty without broadcasting its location on AIS.

Tanker discharging ballast at Kharg Island’s T-Jetty on August 24 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the now-expired MoU, 26 Iran-flagged tankers have reached the Singapore Strait bound for the EOPL anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. All these Iranian tankers are expected to conduct STS transfers in the EOPL.

There are 7 Iran-flagged tankers currently in the EOPL: HUMANITY (IMO 9180281), STARLA (IMO 9569621), HILDA I (IMO 9357389), DAN (IMO 9357729), HAPPINESS I (IMO 9212905), HEDY (IMO 9212888) and DORENA (IMO 9569669). They have all previously passed the Singapore Strait and have since stopped broadcasting their location on AIS. 

DREAM II (IMO 9356593), STREAM (IMO 9569633), HALTI (IMO 9212890), SEA CLIFF (IMO 9569657), HERO II (IMO 9362073), SILVIA I (IMO 9172052), SNOW (IMO 9569619), HELM (IMO 9357391), DUNE (IMO 9569712), DEEP SEA (IMO 9218492), DIAMOND II (IMO 9218478), DINO 1 (IMO 9569671), SONIA I (IMO 9357365), DORE (IMO 9357717), HERBY (IMO 9362059), SEVIN (IMO 9357353), FELICITY (IMO 9183934), HENNA (IMO 9212929), AMBER (IMO 9357406) and DIONA (IMO 9569695) have all departed the EOPL in ballast after completing STS transfers.

Iran-flagged HUGE (IMO 9357183) has also departed the EOPL anchorage. This tanker had been loitering unladen in the EOPL anchorage for over two weeks after conducting an STS transfer of Iranian crude south of Hong Kong in the South China Sea on July 9. It is now at Galle anchorage with the other Iran-flagged tankers in ballast.

These departing Iran-flagged tankers are now heading to anchorages across the Indo-Pacific rather than back to Iranian ports because of the U.S. blockade. DIONA is loitering offshore Duqm, Oman, while 20 empty Iran-flagged tankers are currently anchored of Galle, Sri Lanka. Namely, STREAM, HALTI, DREAM II, HERO II, SILVIA I, SEA CLIFF, SNOW, HELM, DIAMOND II, DEEP SEA, DUNE, DINO I, SONIA I, HERBY, SEVIN, AMBER, HENNA, FELICITY, HUGE and DORE.

Iran-flagged tankers near Sri Lanka on August 24 (Credit: ESA Copernicus & Marine Traffic)

On August 23, several of the Iran-flagged tankers departed the Galle anchorage. HALTI, HERBY, DORE, SNOW, DEEP SEA, STREAM and HELM have all transited the Laccadive Sea northwards. These vessels appear to be relocating within the vicinity of Sri Lanka, possibly driven by heightened regulatory or enforcement pressure following recent press coverage of UANI’s monitoring of Iran-flagged tankers in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Iran-flagged tankers transiting the Laccadive Sea northbound on August 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On August 24, at least 49 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering near the EOPL area with their AIS signals active, demonstrating that Ghost Fleet tankers continue to operate with impunity across Southeast Asia's sea lanes. 

UANI Ghost Armada tankers broadcasting on AIS in EOPL on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships Globally

Despite ongoing pressure of U.S. OFAC sanctions, and new constraints of the U.S. Blockade on Iranian ports, approximately 50 Iranian flagged cargo ships continue to operate openly across sea lanes, ports, and anchorages throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea.

Iran-flagged cargo vessels across the region on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the Gulf of Oman, the OFAC-sanctioned and falsely-flagged container ship RAMA 3 (IMO 9303754) crossed the U.S. blockade line, transited the Strait of Hormuz and anchored near Qeshm Island, in Iranian waters. RAMA 3 had likely conducted a dark rendezvous—and a potential MMSI number swap—with the Liberia-flagged container ship YES (IMO 9307009), also known as the YOGI. RAMA 3's last port visit was to the port of Zhuhai, China in late July. RAMA 3 was in port next to the Iranian-flagged cargo ship HOUMUNA (IMO 9820271) for possible transhipment operations on July 28–29. It is not known whether U.S. naval forces queried or inspected RAMA 3 for designated contraband cargo.

Iran-linked cargo ship RAMA 3 in the Strait of Hormuz on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the Karachi OPL anchorage, the laden bulk carrier BATIS (IMO 9465760) continued to loiter at anchor. BATIS will likely continue loitering in the Karachi OPL due to the U.S. Blockade. 

In the Gulf of Kutch, the container ship VELON 1 (IMO 9122473) remained anchored near Kandla. VELON 1 is broadcasting on AIS under different flags, although listed in the official IMO GISIS database as registered under the Iranian flag. Meanwhile, ARTMAN (IMO 9405930) and ARTAM (IMO 9284154) both continued to anchor outside the entrance of the Gulf of Kutch.

Iran-flagged cargo ships near Karahi and the Gulf of Kutch on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The container ship FLORA (IMO 9349576) arrived at the Mumbai anchorage on August 23 after conducting unusual manoeuvres and possible rendezvous in the Arabian Sea. FLORA is currently falsely flagged and OFAC sanctioned. When it was previously Iran flagged, it ran aground in the Singapore Strait in 2020. Shortly after the FLORA anchored, the Iranian flagged container ship SHAMIM (IMO 9270658) departed the anchorage and pulled into Mumbai on August 23 for cargo operations, departed on August 24. SHAMIN is now headed for Mombasa, Kenya, with and estimate arrival of September 1, after crossing Western Indian Ocean. 

 Iran-flagged cargo ship after departing Mumbai on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The container ship ZYRA (IMO 9237084) sailed into the middle of the Arabian Sea, instead of directly to its destination at Mumbai, in a similar manner to the FLORA. Although on AIS, it is now claiming to be Comoros flagged, it had recently changed its MMSI number while in transit, and according to IMO GISIS database, it is officially registered under the Iranian flag. 

Iran-flagged cargo ships in the Arabian Sea on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The container ship DAISY (IMO 9270684) arrived in the vicinity of Chennai from Port Klang and anchored offshore on August 24.

Iran-flagged cargo ship near Chennai on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At Port Klang, Malaysia, the container ship ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) completed cargo operations on August 22 and returned to the anchorage. The container ship VIRA 1 (IMO 9088524) departed the anchorage on August 24, and sailed north in the Malacca Strait, to its new destination at Mumbai. The container ship SHIBA (IMO 9270646) departed the Malaysian EOPL today, transited the Singapore Strait westbound and entered the Malacca Strait.  It is listing Port Klang as its destination again, after previously departing Port Klang anchorage on August 21. The container ship NYRA 2 (IMO 9241487) sailed south in the Malacca Strait toward the Singapore Strait and its destination at the Malaysian EOPL, from its previous port call at Kandla, India.

Iran-flagged cargo ships in the Malacca Strait and Port Klang on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At the Malaysian EOPL, twelve cargo ships loitered in and near the EOPL. Just north of the EOPL, four bulk ships remained anchored there: ANDIA (IMO 9193197), GOLAFRUZ (IMO 9323833), GANJ (IMO 9305219) and BEHDOKHT (IMO 9405978). Meanwhile, in the EOPL, eight cargo ships remained anchored: the bulk carriers BAHJAT (IMO 9405954), ARIES (IMO 9369722), ARTIN (IMO 9305221), AMINA (IMO 9305192), general cargo ship PARNIA (IMO 9167265) and three container ships BASHT (IMO 9346536), ARZIN (IMO 9284142) and HAMOUNA (IMO 9820271). All these ships will likely remain in the EOPL while the U.S. blockade is still in force, receiving occasional logistics support, despite the risk of secondary sanctions from OFAC.

Iran-flagged cargo ships near the EOPL on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Three Iranian cargo ships were in three different locations across Thailand. The bulk cargo ship PARISAN (IMO 9465851), departed Songkhla Port, on August 23, and sailed north in the Gulf of Thailand. No new destination is listed in AIS, but it is likely to sail to Sri Racha port near Laem Chabang. The bulk cargo ship ARDAVAN (IMO 9465863)remained at Laem Chabang, Thailand, moored at the Siam Commercial Sea Port while the bulk carrier DELNAVAZ (IMO 9387803) remained in port at the Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand. All of these ships are sanctioned by US Treasury Department OFAC and the port operators risk facing secondary sanctions. The ship agent for PARISAN in Songkhla, Sapid Shipping Co, is itself sanctioned by OFAC, as a subsidiary of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). IRISL was also sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council under Resolution 1929 (2010) for nuclear proliferation and arms smuggling.

Iran-flagged cargo ships in Thai ports and Thai waters on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In Indonesia, the general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) transited the Java Sea and arrived at Surabaya on the western side of the island of Java on August 24.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in Surabaya, Indonesia on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At Zhuhai, China, the container ship ENZO 2 (IMO 9236652) completed cargo ops and departed south into the South China Sea to the Malaysian EOPL, with an estimated arrival of August 29.   ARTENOS (IMO 9283021), RAYEN (IMO 9820245), RADIN (IMO 9820257) and BARZIN (IMO 9820269), which arrived from Shanghai, remained anchored just south of the Gaolan Island.  

Near Hong Kong, the container ship ALOR 2 (IMO 9228538) remained anchored near Hong Kong close to Tamkan Island.

Iran-flagged cargo ships near Zhuhai and Hong Kong on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At the CJK anchorage near Shanghai, the container ships ABYAN (IMO 9349667) went in port to Shanghai for cargo operation on August 22. The container ship BEHTA (IMO 9349590) is sailing north from the Malaysian EOPL and will arrive at Zhuhai on August 27.

In the Taiwan Strait, the container ship ZARDIS (IMO 9349679) appeared on AIS and got underway again, after loitering for several day following storm diversion last week. While ZARDIS is sailing north, it has not designated a new destination on AIS and so will likely to sail to the CJK anchorage at Shanghai.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in Taiwan Strait on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the East China Sea, the bulk carrier DARYABAR (IMO 9369710) sailed south toward the eastern side of Taiwan, to the Malaysian EOPL. Meanwhile the Container ship KASHAN (IMO 9270696) transited the Taiwan Strait and is now in the South China Sea heading to the Malaysian EOPL. 

In the Red Sea, the general cargo ship AYSAN (IMO 9165803) began to transit south through the Bab al-Mandab strait. Its destination on AIS is listed at Taicang port in Shanghai, China with an estimate arrival of September 17. It will most likely stop in the Malaysian EOPL on the way to China.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandab on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Iran-flagged general cargo ship ALVAN (IMO 9165798) remained anchored outside Benghazi, Libya. Libya is under certain UN sanctions, and an arms embargo, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2819 (2026).

In the Black Sea, the container ship FLEXI 2 (IMO 9246322) was sailing in the vicinity of Novorossiysk, Russia. On AIS, it changed its destination from Novorossiysk, Russia, to Poti, Georga, but will still likely visit the Russian port, while dark on AIS, due to risk from Ukrainian drone attacks on the port.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Black Sea on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The container ship SHABDIS (IMO 9349588) repapered on AIS on August 23, and departed Bronka container terminal, near St. Petersburg, Russia. It is now heading west in the Baltic Sea toward the Danish Straits. EU Directive 2025/811requires Mandatory Ship Reporting of key safety information, including insurance certificates due to substandard ships that pose substantial risks to maritime safety and marine ecosystems. SHABDIS is currently listing its destination as the Suez Canal and will most likely sail to another port in Asia following the canal transit.

Iran-flagged cargo ship sailing in the Baltic Sea on August 24 (Credit: Marine Traffic)