Iran War Shipping Update—March 31, 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.

To read UANI’s advisory urging oil purchasing countries to ensure strict domestic ringfencing of money used in purchase of Iranian oil, click here.

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, there have been at least 23 commercial vessels hit, plus three near misses.

In the early morning of March 31, there were two incidents labelled as ‘suspicious activity’ by the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), including an attack on a Kuwaiti-flagged tanker, about 30 nautical miles offshore Dubai.  

Picture of tanker attacked on March 31 (Credit: industry source)

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 28, JMIC reported that eleven vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, President Trump said the U.S. was in serious discussions with what he described as “a new, and more reasonable, regime” in Iran, and warned that if no deal is reached and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, the U.S. would strike Iranian energy infrastructure. His comments suggest the current reprieve, originally intended to last until April 6, is temporary, but the broader status of the waterway and regional shipping security remains unresolved.

Numerous OFAC-sanctioned and UANI-listed tankers — alongside some non-sanctioned, ostensibly legitimate vessels — have transited the Strait of Hormuz laden with Iranian oil, intermittently switching off their AIS signals. These tankers briefly loiter off Qeshm Island before continuing through the strait, where they appear to receive tacit clearance from the Iranian regime following security checks and, in some cases, reportedly substantial payments. 

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers in the Persian Gulf 

UANI has identified at least 29 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 31

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 27 Iranian oil loadings, 20 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. These shipments represent approximately 38 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $3 billion for the IRGC, which continues to fund Iran’s active missile and drone programs central to the conflict. This figure is notably higher than usual given the sharp increase in oil prices, including Iranian crude.

Iran-oil Laden Tankers That Have Left the Persian Gulf 

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has observed at least 23 ghost fleet tankers laden with Iranian oil that have left the Persian Gulf — some broadcasting their AIS signals and others operating clandestinely. These tankers are enroute to Malaysia to conduct ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with other ghost fleet vessels bound for China.

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iranian-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began, at least 19 Iranian-flagged tankers have reached Southeast Asian waters bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. On March 31, the Iranian-flagged tanker SINOPA (IMO 9172038) turned on its AIS signal while transiting the Malacca Strait likely enroute to the EOPL anchorage. Also today, the Iran-flagged tanker DORE (IMO 9357717) transited the Singapore strait and arrived at the Malaysian EOPL.

Iranian-flagged tankers transiting the Malacca Strait on March 31 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Meanwhile, at least 21 Iran-flagged tankers have begun returning reporting empty to Iran from the Malaysian EOPL anchorage and Southeast Asian sea lanes, since the start of the conflict. 

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has recorded 81 Iranian oil laden tankers in the EOPL anchorage, a ghost fleet hotspot approximately 70 km off Malaysia’s coast. All of these tankers have been spotted in satellite imagery.

On March 31, 34 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering in the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. Despite the ongoing conflict, it is business as usual for the Iranian oil trade to China, where ghost fleet tankers continue to operate with impunity across Southeast Asia's sea lanes.   

Iran-Flagged Cargo Ships Globally

The Iranian-flagged bulk carrier PARSHAD (IMO 9387786), sanctioned by OFAC, departed Kuantan, Malaysia, a day after PARISAN (IMO 965851), and began its return voyage to Iran. According to its AIS signal, the vessel made an unusual diversion 77 nautical miles northeast before turning around and heading back toward the Singapore and Malacca Straits. It then transited the Singapore Strait westbound on March 31 and continued into the Malacca Strait toward the Indian Ocean.

Map of Iranian-flagged bulk cargo ship departing Kuantan port and then transiting the Malacca Strait on March 31 (Credit: Marine Traffic). Satellite image of PARSHAD on March 30, during unusual manoeuvre (Credit: ESA Copernicus) 

The Iranian-flagged container ships ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) and AREZOO (IMO 9165786) have remained at anchor off Port Klang, Malaysia. Both vessels are sanctioned by OFAC. AREZOO recently called at the Malaysian EOPL anchorage on March 24 for around 24 hours for unknown operations.

The Iranian-flagged bulk carrier MAHNAM (IMO 9213387), sanctioned by OFAC, arrived in Dafeng, China on March 31. It had departed Bandar Abbas on March 2, stopped offshore Galle, Sri Lanka, for logistics on March 11, and transited the Singapore Strait eastbound on March 20.

Map of Iranian-flagged bulk cargo ship’s route from Bandar Abbas to Dafeng, China (Credit: Marine Traffic)