Iran War Shipping Update - April 2, 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 April 2, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported that 12 vessels openly transited the Strait of Hormuz.

In his April 1 address, President Trump declared that the U.S. does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz and called upon other oil-dependent nations to take the lead in protecting their own commercial shipments through the waterway. He did, however, forecast that shipping flows will "open up naturally" once the conflict ends. 

Numerous OFAC-sanctioned and UANI-listed tankers — alongside some non-sanctioned, ostensibly legitimate vessels — have transited the Strait of Hormuz 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. 

On April 2, the Panama-flagged tanker DEEPBLUE (IMO 9350862) transited the strait, briefly switching off its AIS signal as it passed around Larak Island. The vessel has previously been linked to shipments of Iranian gasoil.

Tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At least three Oman-bound tankers, however, transited the Strait of Hormuz out of the Persian Gulf on March 1. Two VLCCs, laden with crude according to their AIS, and a liquified natural gas carrier hugged the Omani coastline and did not pass Iran’s new checkpoint near Qeshm and Larak islands. 

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 2

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.

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 Iran flagged‑ tanker SINOPA (IMO 9172038) transited the Malacca Strait. Today, SINOPA transited the Singapore Strait, reached the EOPL, and switched off its AIS signal.

Iran flagged tanker reaching the EOPL on April 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Meanwhile, at least 24 Iran-flagged tankers have begun returning and 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 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, 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

Five Iran-flagged bulk cargo vessels departed the Persian Gulf between March 28 and 31 and are now en route to various destinations, according to their AIS signals. BEHNAVAZ (IMO 9346548) is en route to Zhuhai, China. ANDIA (IMO 9193197) is also en route to China. BAHJAT (IMO 9405954) is en route to Kuantan, Malaysia. BEHTA (IMO 9349590) and BAVAND (IMO 9387798) have not declared their destinations.

Five Iran flagged cargo ships in the western Indian Ocean on April 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran‑flagged container ship ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007), sanctioned by OFAC, departed Port Klang, Malaysia, on April 1. It is sailing westbound via the Malacca Strait, with its AIS signal indicating Chennai, India, as the destination.

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

The Iran flagged bulk carrier ARIES (IMO 9369722), is sailing in the South China Sea after departing Dafeng Port, China, on March 25 following the discharge of an unknown cargo. According to its AIS signal, it is returning to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Iran flagged cargo ship in the South China Sea on April 2 (Credit: Marine Traffic)