Iran War Shipping Update - May 21, 2026

Since the outbreak of the Iran War on February 28, Iran’s “Ghost Fleet” has continued operating across key maritime routes, including loading cargoes, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and sailing east toward China. While UANI tracking indicates that illicit shipping activity remains ongoing, the U.S. blockade initiated on April 13 is now constraining Iran’s export capacity. The blockade targets vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports, as well as ships transporting sanctioned or contraband oil, but does not apply to all Iran-linked maritime traffic. U.S. enforcement efforts have focused primarily on VLCC tankers, while smaller and support vessels continue to operate.

To read UANI’s statement on FAQs and keys facts about the U.S. blockade, click here. 

To read UANI's statement on why U.S. pressure on Iran's oil exports is working, click here.

On May 21, U.S. CENTCOM posted that U.S. forces have redirected 94 commercial ships and disabled 4 to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports since the commencement of the blockade. 

U.S. CENTCOM update on the U.S. blockade on May 21 (Credit: U.S. CENTCOM/X)

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint in the Iran War. Since the start of the conflict, 43 confirmed maritime incidents involving commercial vessels and offshore infrastructure have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. 

The enduring 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.

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers Inside the U.S. Blockade

UANI has identified at least 67 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude, but also other petroleum products and LPG — currently operating inside the U.S. blockade line which can be drawn from the Iranian-Pakistan border to the most eastern point of Oman. 

Map of Iranian oil laden tankers inside the U.S. blockade on May 21

Iran-linked Vessels at Chabahar Port, Iran

Iran-linked tankers are loitering and anchoring outside of the Persian Gulf at Chabahar Port, Iran. On May 21, 13 tankers, including 11 Iran-flagged tankers, as well as two Ghost Armada vessels, all laden with Iranian oil, were observed in satellite imagery near Chabahar Port. Numerous Iran-flagged and Iranian oil-laden tankers that have attempted to cross the blockade departed from Chabahar Port, with at least eight of these returning to port in response to a variety of U.S. enforcement actions.

Iran linked tankers anchored near Chabahar on May 21 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the outbreak of the conflict, UANI has tracked at least 76 Iranian oil loadings, 43 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. These shipments represent approximately 84 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $6 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-linked Vessels near Sri Lanka 

Iran-linked tankers have been anchoring about 20 km offshore from Galle, Sri Lanka, likely for logistical support from local service providers but also in response to pressure from the U.S. blockade. On May 19, five Iran-flagged tankers, all unladen, plus one UANI Ghost Armada tanker carrying Iranian crude, were anchored near Galle. On the satellite image below, white squares denote Iran-flagged tankers, and the white circle denotes the Ghost Armada vessel. 

Iran linked tankers anchored near Galle, Sri Lanka on May 19 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

On May 21, the Iran-flagged tanker SARAK (IMO 9226968) continued to sail north in the Laccadive Sea near southern India, after appearing on AIS on May 20 in the vicinity of Galle, Sri Lanka/  SARAK was last observed on May 10, in the Malacca Strait after departing the Malaysian Eastern Out of Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage on May 8.   

Iran flagged tanker near Sri Lanka on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began, at least 32 Iran-flagged tankers have reached Southeast Asian waters bound for the Eastern Outer Port Limits (EOPL) anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. 

The Iran flagged tanker TOUR 2 (IMO 9364112), also known as KARIZ, is anchored about 90km southeast of Hong Kong, reporting laden status.  The tanker had previously departed the Malaysian EOPL, despite being anchored there for over two weeks, reporting laden and broadcasting its AIS, and transited the South China Sea northbound on May 11. This is an unusual pattern of movement for an Iran flagged OFAC-sanctioned tanker.

Iran flagged tanker departing the EOPL on May 19 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Meanwhile, at least 35 Iran-flagged tankers, reporting empty, have begun attempts to return to Iran and from the Malaysian EOPL anchorage and Southeast Asian sea lanes, since the start of the conflict.

Iran-Oil Laden Tankers off the Malaysian Coast

From February 28, the start of the conflict, to today, UANI has recorded 43 STS transfers of Iranian oil in the EOPL anchorage, a ghost fleet hotspot approximately 70 km off Malaysia’s coast. All of these transshipments have been spotted in satellite imagery.

On May 21, 34 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 US OFAC sanctions, approximately 30 Iranian-flagged vessels continue to operate openly across sea lanes, ports, and anchorages throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Enhanced pressure from the enforcement of the US blockade on Iran and disrupted access to Iranian ports appears to be affecting vessel schedules and operations on a large scale. This has contributed to increased instances of ships pausing and waiting in clusters at anchorages across the region.

Iran flagged cargo vessels across the Indo-Pacific on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran flagged, OFAC sanctioned container ship VELON 1 (IMO 9122473) continued sailing the Arabian Sea.  On May 19, VELON 1 stopped and began drifting for unknown reasons, and reported “Not Under Command,” for a time, but is underway again. The vessel departed Novorossiysk, Russia on April 23, after unknown cargo operations, and transited the Suez Canel on May 9. VELON 1 is currently reporting on AIS that it is laden. On May 21, it changed its reported destination and ETA from Port Klang, Malaysia on May 29, to Singapore on May 31.

Iran flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On May 21, there were no significant changes to the multiple Iranian flagged tankers and cargo vessels that continued to anchor offshore of Karachi, Pakistan. ARIES (IMO 9369722), MAHNAM (IMO 9213387), DELRUBA (IMO 9305207), WARTA (IMO 9465849), and PARNIA (IMO 9167265) were openly broadcasting on AIS while anchored about 70km offshore. The tankers STREAM (IMO 9569633), HERBY (IMO 9362059) and SOBAR (IMO 9221970) are also anchored nearby, outside territorial waters. Finally, the container ship TOUSKA (IMO 9328900) was anchored just 16 km outside Karachi port, inside Pakistani territorial waters. All of these Iran flagged vessels are OFAC sanctioned.  At least 8 other non-Iranian flagged Ghost Armada tankers are also anchored in the Pakistan EEZ.

Iran flagged cargo vessels near Karachi, Pakistan on May 20

(Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)

On May 21, the Iran flagged container ship ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007), was still drifting in the Arabian Sea approximately 200 km offshore of the Indian Coast, in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). ARTABAZ departed Mumbai on April 19, after unknown cargo operations. It is possible that the ARTABAZ is loitering in this area conducting maritime surveillance in a picket pattern, as this is a highly unusual behavior for a container ship transporting routine cargo. 

The OFAC sanctioned, Iran flagged container ship ARTENOS (IMO 9283021) continued to loiter at anchor in the Gulf of Kutch, outside Kandla, India. The vessel has been anchored for four weeks since it conducted unknown cargo operations in Kandla Terminal from April 18-19. 

Iran flagged container ship anchored in Gulf of Kutch on May 21 
(Credit: Marine Traffic and LANDSAT)

The OFAC sanctioned, Iran flagged bulk cargo ship BAHJAT (IMO 9405954) continued to sail east from Galle, Sri Lanka, after departing on May 20.  It is reporting a ballast condition, but not listing any destination for this new voyage.  It had been anchored off Galle since May 6.  On May 19, the Iran-flagged tanker DOWNY (IMO 9218480) briefly appeared on AIS in the Galle Outer Port Limits (OPL) anchorage. Three other Iran-flagged tankers — HAWK (IMO 9212890), HALTI (IMO 9212890), and HELM (IMO 9357391) — were observed in satellite imagery at Galle OPL on May 19, although they not broadcasting on AIS. And the Iran-flagged tanker SARAK (IMO 9226968) appeared on AIS, today, sailing northwest form the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Iran flagged ships near Sri Lanka on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)

On May 21, the OFAC-sanctioned Iran flagged bulk cargo ship KIAZAND (IMO 9465758) remained in port Phuket, for unknown cargo operations.  It pulled into the terminal on May 20, after anchoring since May 18. The ship is still reporting that it is in ballast condition.

Iran flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Thailand on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)

On May 21, the Iran-flagged container ship AZARGOUN (IMO 9283019) continued to transit north in the Malacca Strait.  It is reporting its destination as Chennai, India, with an ETA of May 26.  AZARGOUN departed the Malaysian EOPL on May 19, briefly stopping at the Port Klang anchorage.  Meanwhile, the Iran flagged general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) and containership RADIN (IMO 9820257) continued to remain anchored off Port Klang, Malaysia, inside Malaysian territorial waters.    All these vessels are sanctioned by OFAC.

Iran flagged container ships near Malaysia on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Five Iran-flagged cargo ships remained anchored in the Malaysian EOPL anchorage area, openly broadcasting on AIS: the bulk cargo ships ARVIN (IMO 9193202), MIAMI PRIDE (IMO 9274941), BASKAR (IMO 9405942) and ANDIA (IMO 9193197) and the container ship OURA (IMO 9387815). These OFAC sanctioned vessels are likely waiting in the EOPL due to the U.S. blockade.

Iran flagged cargo ships at Malaysian EOPL on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic and ESA Copernicus)

Two Iran-flagged container ships SHABDIS (IMO 9349588) and SHABGOUN (IMO 9346524) remain anchored in the vicinity of Zhuhai. The Iranian flagged tanker, TOUR 2 (IMO 9364112), also known as KARIZ, appeared on AIS south of Hong Kong on May 18, and is currently anchored about 90 km southeast of Hong Kong island. It is reporting on AIS that it is laden. All of the vessels are OFAC sanctioned.

Iran flagged container ships at Zhuhai, China, on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On May 21, the Iran-flagged container ship BEHTA (IMO 9349590) remained anchored at Chang Jiang Kuo (CJK) anchorage outside of Shanghai.  It departed the port of Zhuhai on May 18.  On May 20, the BEHNAVAZ (IMO 9346548) appeared to enter the port area of Shanghai, for unknown cargo operations.

Iran flagged container ships near Shanghai, China, on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On May 21, the OFAC-sanctioned Iran flagged bulk cargo ships ROSHAK (IMO 9405966) an MV BATIS (IMO 9465758) each departed their respective anchorages.  ROSHAK departed its anchorage in the Bohai Bay after completing unknown cargo ops at Huanghua bulk cargo terminal on May 17.  It is now reporting laden status, but no destination is listed.  BATIS departed its anchorage in the Yellow Sea, after previously completing unknown cargo ops at Dafeng bulk terminal on May 8.  It is now reporting ballast condition, but no destination is listed.

Iran flagged container ships in the Yellow Sea, on May 21 (Credit: Marine Traffic)