Iran War Shipping Update—April 1, 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 24 commercial vessels hit, plus three near misses.

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 31, JMIC reported that five vessels openly transited the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, President Trump said Iran’s new regime president — “much less radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors” — has requested a ceasefire from the United States. He stated Washington would consider it “when [the] Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear,” adding, “Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion.” His comments indicate the current reprieve, originally set to expire on April 6, remains conditional, leaving the waterway’s status and regional shipping security 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 27 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude — currently operating inside the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz.

Two floating storage tankers laden with Iranian cargoes in the Persian Gulf are currently transmitting AIS signals — a relatively unusual occurrence for Iranian oil-laden vessels. 

Map of Iranian oil laden tankers in the Persian Gulf on April 1

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 26 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.

On April 1, KYLO (IMO 9189146), previously named NOXEN, transited the Strait of Hormuz laden with Iranian crude, turning off its AIS signal by Qeshm Island as indicated by the dotted line.

Iranian-oil laden tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

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 April 1, the Iranian-flagged tanker SINOPA (IMO 9172038) transited the Malacca Strait likely enroute to the EOPL anchorage. 

Meanwhile, at least 24 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. On April 1, the Iran-flagged tanker AMBER (IMO 9357406) transited the Singapore strait and SILIVA I (IMO 9172052) transited the Malacca Strait, both after leaving the EOPL.

Iran flagged tankers transiting Southeast Asian sea lanes on April 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

Since the start of the conflict, UANI has recorded 85 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 April 1, 32 tankers listed on UANI's Ghost Armada were anchored or loitering in the EOPL area with their AIS signals active. Also today, satellite imagery showed three STS transfers of Iranian oil at this anchorage.

Satellite imagery of STS transfers taking place in the EOPL on April 1 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

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 Iran flagged bulk carrier PARSHAD (IMO 9387786), sanctioned by OFAC, transited the Malacca Strait after departing Kuantan, Malaysia; its AIS signal lists Galle, Sri Lanka, as the destination. According to AIS data, the vessel made an unusual diversion 77 nautical miles northeast before turning around and heading back toward the Singapore and Malacca Straits. Meanwhile, Iran-flagged bulk carrier PARISAN (IMO 9465851) left the Malacca Strait and began transiting the Indian Ocean before turning off its AIS. Its last AIS report indicated it was heading back to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Iran flagged bulk carriers departing the Malacca Strait eastbound on April 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran‑flagged container ships ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) and AREZOO (IMO 9165786) both entered Port Klang, Malaysia, on April 1. ARTABAZ remains there, while AREZOO swiftly departed via the Malacca Strait, with its AIS signal indicating Chittagong, Bangladesh, as the destination. AREZOO had recently called at the Malaysian EOPL anchorage on March 24 for around 24 hours for unknown operations.

Iran flagged cargo ships at Port Klang, Malaysia on April 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran flagged bulk carrier MAHNAM (IMO 9213387), sanctioned by OFAC, arrived in Dafeng Port, China, on April 1 to discharge an unknown cargo. MANHAM departed Bandar Abbas on March 2, briefly stopped offshore Galle, Sri Lanka, on March 12, for logistics, and transited the Singapore Strait eastbound on March 20.

Iran-flagged cargo ship arrived at Dafeng, China on April 1 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran flagged bulk carrier WARTA (IMO 9465849), remained in port Sri Racha, Thailand.  WARTA arrived on March 28, after anchoring in the Gulf of Thailand since March 19. It had previously departed Songkhla, Thailand on Marh 18 and was spotted in satellite imagery in port on March 31, conducting unknown cargo operations. 

Iran-flagged cargo ship at Sri Racha, Thailand on 31 March (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)