Iran Shipping Update – July 17, 2026

The United States reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14, marking a likely end to the brief détente established under the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed June 17. The move follows Iran's attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz starting July 7, which reignited tensions across the Persian Gulf, ultimately collapsing the agreement's key confidence-building measures. The United States has since conducted a series of strikes against Iranian military and IRGC maritime assets.

To read UANI's June 2026 Tanker Tracker, click here.

U.S. Blockade 

On July 13, President Trump declared that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports has been reinstated. Starting on July 14 at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces will impose the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas while supporting compliant traffic in regional waters. The measure follows the initial blockade from April 13 to June 18, which redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships, and allowed over 50 humanitarian-support vessels to pass.

In addition to enforcing the blockade on Iranian ports, all Iranian vessels and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, are subject to belligerent right to visit and search. These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure. Contraband items are subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory, if their destination is the territory belonging to, or occupied by, Iran. Contraband is defined as goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict.

On July 16, U.S. CENTCOM reported U.S. forces have redirected 3 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 1 that didn’t comply, and boarded 1 to ensure full compliance with the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran. LAN JING (IMO 9288095), also known as WEN YAO, was boarded by U.S. forces after departing the Gulf of Oman laden with 1.6 million barrels of Iranian fuel oil. LAN JING has been listed on UANI’s Ghost Armada since December 2022 for its role in Iran’s oil trade.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the Iran War, the International Maritime organization (IMO) has reported 58 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

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. Since the signing of the MoU, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has 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 July 15, JMIC has reported a total of 670 vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the date of the signing of the MoU.

Vessel transits of the Strait of Hormuz (Data Credit: JMIC)

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. 

Strait of Hormuz transits on July 17 at 12:00 UTC (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers Departing the Gulf of Oman

Since the announcement of the MoU on June 14, UANI has tracked 66 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.

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers

UANI has identified at least 37 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 July 17 (Credit: UANI)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17, UANI has tracked at least 26 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, 11 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. 

After loading almost 2 million barrels of Iranian crude on July 15, the VLCC FELIX (IMO 9181194) was observed in satellite imagery today transiting the Persian Gulf southbound, after departing Kharg Island. 

Tanker transiting the Persian Gulf laden with Iranian crude on July 17 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU, 19 Iran-flagged tankers have reached the Singapore Strait bound for the EOPL anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. On July 17, HALTI(IMO 9212890) approached the Singapore Strait, laden with Iranian oil, bound for the EOPL. 

HALTI will join the 13 Iran-flagged tankers already in the EOPL: HAPPINESS I (IMO 9212905), STREAM (IMO 9569633), HERBY (IMO 9362059), DIAMOND II (IMO 9218478), DINO 1 (IMO 9569671), HEDY (IMO 9212888), DORE (IMO 9357717), SEVIN (IMO 9357353), SILVIA I (IMO 9172052), DORENA (IMO 9569669), SNOW (IMO 9569619) HERO II (IMO 9362073) and SONIA I (IMO 9357365), which have all previously passed the Singapore Strait and have since stopped broadcasting their location on AIS. Seven of these tankers have since been spotted in satellite imagery, confirming their location. All these Iranian tankers are expected to conduct STS transfers in the EOPL, with four already observed in satellite imagery. 

Meanwhile, FELICITY (IMO 9183934) joins other Iran-flagged tankers HENNA (IMO 9212929), AMBER (IMO 9357406), STARLA (IMO 9569621) and DIONA (IMO 9569695) that have departed the EOPL, reporting ballast condition on AIS after completing ship-to-Ship (STS) transfers in the anchorage, and are now most likely returning to Iran. They are the first four Iran-flagged tankers that have departed the EOPL reporting empty since the signing of the MoU, which has since collapsed.

Iran-flagged tankers transiting the Singapore Strait on July 17 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On July 17, at least 50 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. 

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships Globally

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

Iran-flagged vessels across the Indo-Pacific on July 17 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

No further Iranian-flagged cargo ships have openly crossed the U.S. Blockade line since it was formally declared on June 14. The last cargo ship to openly cross inbound was the GOLBON (IMO 9283033) which arrived in Bandar Abbas from Kandla, India. The last cargo ship to openly exit was the ARTMAN (IMO 9405930) which is currently anchored in the Gulf of Kutch, outside of Kandla port. Two cargo ships changed direction just prior to the start of the blockade: OURA (IMO 9387815) was about the exit Iranian waters but turned to anchor in Chabahar, Iran, while ARTAM (IMO 9284154) was about to cross the blockade line inbound and instead turned back toward India and then anchored outside the Gulf of Kutch.

The container ship VELON 1 (IMO 9122473) is approaching the port of Mumbai, India. The container ship FLEXI 2 (IMO 9246322), which departed Novorossiysk, Russia, and then visited Misrata, Libya, is sailing east across the Arabian Sea to its next port in Mumbai, India.

The container ship ENZO 2 (IMO 9236652) is returning to the Persian Gulf from Port Klang, Malaysia and is a possible candidate for interdiction by U.S. naval forces if it attempts to breach the blockade. ENZO 2 had also visited Misrata, Libya and Branka, Russia, near St. Petersburg in the Baltic Sea. This is a similar pattern to the container ship TOUSKA (IMO 9328900) which was disabled and interdicted during the first U.S. blockade.

Twenty-four other Iranian-flagged cargo ships are headed to or already at Chinese ports

Three container ships are at Port Klang, Malaysia. DAISY (IMO 9270684) and SHIBA (IMO 9270646) continue to remain at anchor. Meanwhile, SHAMIM (IMO 9270658) completed cargo operations and departed the port. Its next destination is Penang, and it is now sailing the Malacca Strait northbound. ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) is enroute to Port Klang, with an estimated arrival of July 19.

Two other cargo ships, ZYRA (IMO 9237084) and ARTIN (IMO 9305221) are sailing southeast in the Malacca Strait, having just passed the vicinity of Port Kang, while the KASHAN (9270696) transited the Singapore Strait eastbound and anchored in the Malaysian EOPL.  KASHAN joins two other Iranian-flagged cargo ships in the EOPL: BASHT (IMO 9346536) and PARNIA (IMO 9167265).

The bulk carrier BEHDOKHT (IMO 9405978) remained in Songkhla, Thailand, while the general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) is sailing to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with an estimated arrival of July 18.

The bulk cargo ship ANDIA (IMO 9193197) which is headed to Zhoushan Port, near Ningbo China, continued sailing along the western coast of Luzon, Philippines. ANDIA is reporting that it has “Restricted Maneuverability” and is approaching the vicinity of Mindoro Island, Philippines.

Four other Iranian cargo vessels are sailing the South China Sea northbound to various ports in China.

The container ship ARZIN (IMO 9284142) remained in port at Zhuhai Port, China while ABYAN (IMO 9349667) continued loitering at the anchorage. The containership FLORA (IMO 9349576) was observed in satellite imagery approaching Zhuhai and should arrive on July 18.

Iran-flagged cargo ships near Zhuhai, China on July 17 (Credit: ESA Copernicus & Marine Traffic)

Four containerships are currently anchored at CJK anchorage off Shanghai, China: BARZIN (IMO 9820269), ZARDIS (IMO 9349679), RAYEN (IMO 9820245), RAMA 3 (IMO 9303754). HAMOUNA (IMO 9820271) likely remains in port for cargo operations.

In the Mediterranean Sea, the general cargo ship AYSAN (IMO 9165803) remains in port at Misrata, Libya, while the general cargo ship ALVAN (IMO 9165798) is en route to Misrata, with an estimated arrival of July 18. Libya remains under certain UN sanctions, and an arms embargo, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2819 (2026).

The laden bulk cargo ship ARDAVAN (IMO 9465863) is approaching the Dafeng, China, and will likely arrive on July 18, while GOLAFRUZ (IMO 9323833) continues to loiter in the Yellow Sea, broadcasting “Not Under Command” on AIS.

The container ship NYRA 2 (IMO 9241487) is in the Dardanelles Strait, after passing Canakkale, Türkiye, and is now reporting its destination as Istanbul. It will likely then sail to a Russian port in the Black Sea.

The container ship BEHTA (IMO 9349590) passed the Gibraltar Strait, on the way to its destination of Bronka Port in the Russian Baltic.