Iran Shipping Update – July 2, 2026

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a broad 60-day authorization, General License X, for Iranian oil exports on June 22. This follows a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed by President Trump on June 17, lifting a two month-long maritime blockade on Iranian ports and leading to a resumption of Iranian oil exports. To read UANI’s Statement on the MoU, click here.
 

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the Iran War, 52 confirmed maritime incidents involving commercial vessels and offshore infrastructure 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 growing clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, with many 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. 

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

In the first five days following the MoU, transits were dominated by Chinese- and Iran-linked traffic using the northern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. However, there has since been an increase in transits, including Western-linked vessels, through the southern corridor, likely reflecting its gradual widening due to demining operations, as well as a broader increase in commercial willingness to transit the Strait. Open transits of commercial vessels through the southern corridor declined following the maritime strikes on June 25 and 27 but have since begun to increase again.

Strait of Hormuz transits on July 2 at 17:00 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 39 tankers departing the Gulf of Oman laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals. These exports represent approximately 49 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $4 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 46 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 2 (Credit: UANI)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17, UANI has tracked at least 14 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, six of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran.

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU and the lifting of the U.S. blockade, seven Iran-flagged tankers have reached the Singapore Strait bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. On July 2, AMBER (IMO 9357406), DORENA (IMO 9569669), SNOW (IMO 9569619) and STARLA (IMO 9569621) transited the Singapore Strait eastbound towards the EOPL. DIONA (IMO 9569695), HERO II (IMO 9362073) and SONIA I (IMO 9357365) have all previously passed the Singapore Strait and have since stopped broadcasting their location on AIS. They will most likely conduct an STS transfer in the EOPL. Some may proceed to an anchorage area south of Hong Kong. It is unlikely that any will proceed directly to Chinese ports, but that would mark a significant change in operational procedure. It remains to be seen how the evolving patterns of Iran’s oil trade and dark fleet operations will change following the signing of the MoU.

Four Iran flagged tankers transiting towards the Malaysian EOPL on July 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic & ESA Copernicus)

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

On July 2, 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 80 Iranian flagged vessels continue to operate openly across sea lanes, ports, and anchorages throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Since the announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the lifting of the blockade, nearly all the Iranian ships outside of the Persian Gulf have begun sailing back to Iran. Meanwhile, more than 30 cargo vessels have departed Iranian ports for Asia.

Iran-flagged vessels across the Indo-Pacific on July 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Ten Iranian-flagged cargo ships are heading back from Asian waters to Iranian ports including, Chabahar, Bandar Abbas and Bandar-e Imam Khomeini (BIK).

The container ship FLEXI 2 (IMO 9246322) departed Novorossiysk on June 27 and is scheduled to arrive at Misrata, Libya today. If it follows the previously observed pattern, it may subsequently sail to Port Klang, Malaysia.

Meanwhile, at least 35 Iranian-flagged cargo ships have departed Iranian waters since the MoU. Twenty-nine are sailing to Asian ports: four to India; five to Sri Lanka; thirteen to China; two to Malaysia. Also, four vessels are sailing to the Suez Canal; one to Kenya; and one to Tanzania. 

The Iranian-flagged general cargo ship AYSAN (IMO 9165803) is sailing north in the Red Sea after passing the Bab El-Mandeb Strait on its way to the Suez Canel. The container ship ZYRA (IMO 9237084) is transiting the Red Sea, reporting its destination as Port Klang, with an estimated arrival of July 16. ALVAN (IMO 9165798) is sailing west in the Gulf of Aden, also towards the Suez Canal. While VICTORIA 1 (IMO 9109550) is sailing southward, about 200 km off the Kenyan coast, toward its destination, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

Four Iranian cargo ships are in Indian ports today. The container ships HAMGAN (IMO 9226956)and ARTAM (IMO 9284154) are anchored in the Gulf of Kutch, near Kandla. GOLBON (IMO 9283033) arrived at the Gulf of Kutch after departing Chabahar Port, Iran on June 29, while ALOR 2 (IMO 9228538) pulled into Kandla Port for unknown cargo operations. 

Meanwhile, NYRA 2 (IMO 9241487) is transiting the Arabian Sea laden after completing cargo operations at the Nhava Sheva Container Terminal in Mumbai. All of these vessels are designated by OFAC and are not covered by the recent OFAC General License X authorizing shipments of Iranian petroleum products.

Multiple Iran-flagged bulk carriers are transiting the Laccadive Sea off Galle, Sri Lanka on July 2. PARSHAD (IMO 9387786) departed from Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 19 and is headed for the Galle anchorage, meanwhile DELNAVAZ (IMO 9387803) and AMINA (IMO 9305192) are departing, with their destinations unknown. Another bulk cargo ship ARDAVAN (IMO 9465863) is departing the Trincomalee anchorage and is bound for Dafeng, China. After departing the Galle anchorage yesterday, the container ship SHABGOUN (IMO 9346524) is transiting the Laccadive Sea back to Iran. 

Multiple other Iranian flagged vessels, including tankers and cargo ships, continue to transit past Sri Lanka, occasionally stopping briefly offshore off Galle, for logistics support.

Iran-flagged cargo ship and two tankers near Sri Lanka on July 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic & ESA Copernicus)

Multiple Iran-flagged cargo ships and tankers are currently transiting the Andaman Sea towards the Malacca Strait. The bulk carriers GOLAFRUZ (IMO 9323833) and GANJ (IMO 9305219) are sailing near three Iran-flagged tankers, SEVIN (IMO 935753), DORE (IMO 9357717) and HENNA (IMO 9212929), laden with Iranian crude.

Iran-flagged vessels transiting the Andaman Sea on July 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic & ESA Copernicus)

Nine Iran-flagged cargo vessels have departed Iranian waters and are reporting various destinations in China, with eight currently transiting the Malacca Strait. Twelve Iran-flagged tankers are also presently in the Malacca Strait.

At Port Klang, Malaysia, two Iran-flagged container ships SHAMIM (IMO 9270658) and SHIBA (IMO 9270646) remained at the anchorage. Both these ships are OFAC sanctioned and are not covered by the recent OFAC General License X authorizing shipments of Iranian petroleum products.

Iran-flagged container ships NORA (IMO 9259408) and ENZO 2 (IMO 9236652) arrived in the Malaysian EOPL, joining the bulk cargo ship ANDIA (IMO 9193197). NORA departed Zhuhai Port, China, on June 27 and took an unusual route through Indonesian waters, loitering near the Riau Islands, before arriving at the Malaysian EOPL anchorage.

PARNIA (IMO 9167265) and BARZIN (IMO 9820269) are sailing the South China Sea northbound with their destinations listed as Zhuhai Port and the CJK anchorage respectively. The container ship RAMA 3 (IMO 9303754) is transiting the South China Sea and is also bound for Zhuhai Port, China. Meanwhile, the general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) in reportedly bound for Jakarta, Indonesia. All of these vessels went via the Malaysian EOPL anchorage, loitering there for various lengths of time.

The container ship ABYAN (IMO 9349667) continued sailing north in the South China Sea to its destination Zhuhai, China, with an estimate arrival of July 3.

The container ship BASHT (IMO 9346536) arrived at the CJK anchorage near Shanghai and is reporting that it is partially laden.

Two Iran flagged cargo ships transited the Taiwan Strait southbound today. The bulk cargo ship BATIS (IMO 9465760) departed Tianjin Port, China, on June 27, and is currently returning to Bandar Abbas, Iran, in laden status. The container ship SHABDIS (IMO 9349588) departed the CJK anchorage outside Shanghai with its destination listed as the Suez Canal.