Iran War Shipping Update—March 18, 2026

Since the onset of Operation Epic Fury, UANI has monitored a significant volume of Iranian oil at sea. Illicit Iranian oil sales are a major source of funding for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is currently conducting military and terrorist operations targeting the U.S., Israel, Arab states in the Persian Gulf, and international shipping. In the weeks leading up to the conflict, Tehran sharply increased crude loadings and offshore stockpiling to cushion the impact of war on its oil trade. Amid ongoing hostilities, the Iranian regime’s Ghost Fleet continues to operate actively — loading cargo, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and heading east toward its primary buyer, China. UANI’s regular shipping update will continue to monitor and report on the illicit maritime movements of the Iranian regime’s ghost fleet throughout the conflict.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the ongoing Iran war, as the Iranian regime intensifies efforts to disrupt maritime traffic. Since the start of the conflict, at least 21 commercial vessels have been hit. Satellite imagery from March 18 shows the Egyptian-owned, Maltese-flagged container ship SAFEEN PRESTIGE (IMO 9593517) burning in the strait — potentially struck for a second time following an initial attack on March 4.

Satellite imagery of the struck container ship SAFEEN PRESTIGE in the Strait of Hormuz on March 18

The escalating risk has created severe congestion and instability across the Persian Gulf’s shipping lanes. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, about 138 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz daily.  Since March 1, 2026, marine traffic data shows growing clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, with many refraining from transiting due to safety concerns. On March 17, just four cargo vessels were reported to openly transit the Strait of Hormuz.  

Non-Iranian oil-laden tankers have begun to transit the strait with their AIS signal on. These vessels hug Iranian territorial waters rather than remaining in international lanes, suggesting they may have also obtained some form of tacit approval from Tehran. 

Status of Kharg Island 

On March 14, U.S. forces conducted a targeted strike on military assets located on Kharg Island — Iran’s principal oil export hub through which nearly 90 percent of its crude exports transit. The strike, part of a new phase in U.S. military operations against Iran, specifically targeted IRGC controlled military installations but avoided damaging the island’s oil infrastructure. Satellite imagery indicates all 55 crude storage tanks remain intact. Despite the strike, UANI has monitored continued activity at Kharg. UANI assesses that both Iran-flagged and falsely-flagged, stateless tankers will likely continue to operate from Kharg unless broader U.S. or coalition measures directly target Iran’s oil export infrastructure and network of tankers.

Iranian Oil Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf 

UANI has identified at least 25 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude — currently operating inside the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz.

Map of Iranian oil laden tankers in the Persian Gulf on March 18

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 15 Iranian oil loadings, 11 of which originated from Kharg Island. These shipments represent approximately 20 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $1 billion for the IRGC, which continues to fund Iran’s active missile and drone programs central to the conflict. 

Satellite imagery shows the Iranian-crude laden tanker DANIEL (IMO 9569683) within the Strait of Hormuz. This VLCC loaded Iranian crude at Kharg Island following the onset of the conflict.

Satellite imagery of Iranian crude-laden tanker DANIEL in the Strait of Hormuz on March 18

Iran-oil Laden Tankers That have Left the Persian Gulf 

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has observed at least seven dark fleet tankers that have left the Persian Gulf — some broadcasting their AIS signals and others operating clandestinely — likely enroute to Malaysia to conduct ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with other Ghost Fleet vessels bound for China.

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has observed at least 27 Iranian-flagged tankers sailing outside of the Persian Gulf area.  Since the start of the conflict, eleventankers have begun to return from the Southeast Asian waters through the Indian Ocean towards Iran. Eleven tankers were observed transiting through the Malacca and Singapore Straits toward the anchorages off Malaysia. On March 18, two Iranian-flagged tankers transited, laden with cargo, eastbound in the Malacca Strait.

Iranian-flagged tankers, laden with cargo, eastbound in the Malacca Strait on March 18 (Credit: Starboard Intel) 

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has recorded 67 Iranian oil laden tankers in the East Outer Port Limits (EOPL) area, a ghost fleet hotspot approximately 70 km off Malaysia’s coast.  All of these have been spotted in satellite imagery, despite not broadcasting on AIS.