Iran Shipping Update – July 23, 2026

The United States reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14, marking a likely end to the brief détente established under the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed June 17. The move follows Iran's attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz starting July 7, which reignited tensions across the Persian Gulf, ultimately collapsing the agreement's key confidence-building measures. The United States has since conducted a series of strikes against Iranian military and IRGC maritime assets.

To read UANI's June 2026 Tanker Tracker, click here.

U.S. Blockade 

On July 13, President Trump declared that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports has been reinstated. Starting on July 14 at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces will impose the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas while supporting compliant traffic in regional waters. The measure follows the initial blockade from April 13 to June 18, which redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships, and allowed over 50 humanitarian-support vessels to pass.

In addition to enforcing the blockade on Iranian ports, all Iranian vessels and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, are subject to belligerent right to visit and search. These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure. Contraband items are subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory, if their destination is the territory belonging to, or occupied by, Iran. Contraband is defined as goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict.

As of July 23, U.S. forces have redirected 12 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to fully enforce the blockade.

U.S. CENTCOM update on the U.S. blockade on July 23 (Credit: U.S. CENTCOM/X)

Houthi Blockade

On July 20, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabian ports. Houthi threats against Saudi-linked shipping are already prompting tanker rerouting in the Red Sea. According to Windward, five tankers carrying roughly 3.8 million barrels of Saudi-origin cargo have already reversed course while approaching Bab-el-Mandeb.

On July 22, the Houthis claimed they attacked two tankers laden with Saudi crude oil in the Red Sea. JMIC also reported that a tanker was hit by projectiles and was fighting a fire near the mouth of the Bab el Mandeb strait approximately 70nm off the coast of Saudi Arabia. 

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the Iran War, the International Maritime organization (IMO) has reported 61 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

Prior to the outbreak of the Iran War, about 138 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz daily. Throughout the conflict, marine traffic data showed large clusters of loitering vessels on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, with many ships refraining from transiting due to safety concerns. Since the signing of the MoU, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has reported an increase in open transits through the Strait of Hormuz. On June 24, JMIC recorded 54 transits, the highest daily total since the outbreak of the conflict. As of July 22, JMIC has reported a total of 705 vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the date of the signing of the MoU.  

Vessel transits of the Strait of Hormuz (Data Credit: JMIC)

Open transits of commercial vessels through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz declined following the IRGC strikes on commercial shipping starting July 7 but have not ceased entirely. Since the strikes, the traffic has been dominated by Iranian- and Chinese-linked vessels transiting via the northern corridor.

Strait of Hormuz transits on July 23 at 12:00 UTC (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers Departing the Gulf of Oman

Since the announcement of the MoU on June 14, UANI has tracked 66 tankers departing the Gulf of Oman laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals. These exports represent approximately 80 million barrels of Iranian oil, generating an estimated revenue of over $6 billion for the IRGC, which continues to fund Iran’s missile and drone programs. These figures are estimates. The pricing and volumes associated with Chinese purchases of Iranian crude are not publicly disclosed, though such cargoes are widely assessed to be sold at a discount of around 10 to 12 dollars per barrel.

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers

UANI has identified at least 44 tankers laden with Iranian oil — primarily crude, but also other petroleum products and LPG — currently operating along the Iranian coastline.   

Positions of tankers laden with Iranian oil on July 23 (Credit: UANI)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17, UANI has tracked at least 29 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, 12 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. 

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU, 23 Iran-flagged tankers have reached the Singapore Strait bound for the EOPL anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. On July 23, STARLA (IMO 9569621), HILDA I (IMO 9357389) and DAN (9357729), all laden with Iranian crude, transited the Singapore Strait, reached the EOPL and stopped broadcasting their location on AIS.

Iran-flagged tankers transited the Singapore Strait on July 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

DAN, STARLA and HILDA I join 14 other Iran-flagged tankers currently in the EOPL: HELM (IMO 9357391), HALTI (IMO 9212890), HAPPINESS I (IMO 9212905), STREAM (IMO 9569633), HERBY (IMO 9362059), DIAMOND II (IMO 9218478), DINO 1 (IMO 9569671), HEDY (IMO 9212888), DORE (IMO 9357717), SILVIA I (IMO 9172052), DORENA (IMO 9569669), SNOW (IMO 9569619) HERO II (IMO 9362073) and SONIA I (IMO 9357365), which have all previously passed the Singapore Strait and have since stopped broadcasting their location on AIS. All these Iranian tankers are expected to conduct STS transfers in the EOPL. Six of these STS transfers have been observed in satellite imagery, including two today. 

Two Iran-flagged tankers conducting STS transfers in the Riau Archipelago on July 23 

(Credit: ESA Copernicus)

STARLA already discharged its Iranian crude cargo it had loaded in Iran and left the EOPL anchorage, reporting in ballast. After leaving the anchorage on July 9, it then stopped broadcasting its location on AIS and disappeared. However, on July 19, it was observed conducting an STS with another Iran-flagged tanker DEEP SEA (IMO 9218492)near Penang, Malaysia. STARLA then reappeared on AIS transiting the Malacca Strait southbound on July 21, laden with Iranian crude and once again en route to the EOPL. It is not known why DEEP SEA did not travel to the EOPL to conduct the STS transfer, but this operation pattern demonstrates that firstly, Iran will go to great lengths to obscure the origin of its oil but secondly, we could expect more unusual operational patterns during the U.S. blockade.

Iran-flagged tanker operations in Southeast Asian sea lanes in July

(Credit: ESA Copernicus & Marine Traffic)

So far, STARLA, SEVIN (IMO 9357353), FELICITY (IMO 9183934), HENNA (IMO 9212929), AMBER (IMO 9357406) and DIONA (IMO 9569695) have departed the EOPL, reporting ballast condition on AIS after completing STS transfers in the anchorage, and are now most likely returning to Iran. They are the first six Iran-flagged tankers that have departed the EOPL reporting empty since the signing of the MoU, which has since collapsed.

On July 23, at least 50 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 U.S. OFAC sanctions, approximately 50 Iranian flagged cargo ships continue to operate openly across sea lanes, ports, and anchorages throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, the eastern Mediterranean and the North Sea.

Iran-flagged cargo vessels across the region on July 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

No Iranian-flagged cargo ships have openly crossed the U.S. blockade line since it was formally declared on June 14. The last cargo ship to openly cross inbound was GOLBON (IMO 9283033) which arrived in Bandar Abbas from Kandla, India. The last cargo ship to openly exit was ARTMAN (IMO 9405930) which then conducted cargo operations at Kandla, India.

The container ship VELON 1 (IMO 9122473) and ENZO 2 (IMO 9236652) both are returning to Mumbai, after turning around in the Gulf of Oman, likely in response to the U.S. blockade and to avoid interdiction by U.S. naval forces.

The container ship VIRA 1 (IMO 9088524) transited the Bab al-Mandab strait and entered the Gulf of Aden. Recent hijackings by Somali Pirates have taken place in this area. VIRA 1 is en route to Port Klang, Malaysia, after previously visiting the Russian Baltic.

In the Mediterranean Sea, the Iran-flagged general cargo ship ALVAN (IMO 9165798) is in port at Benghazi, Libya, while AYSAN (IMO 9165803) remains anchored off Misrata. Libya is under certain UN sanctions, and an arms embargo, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2819 (2026).

Iran-flagged cargo vessels in Libya on July 22 and 23 (Credit: ESA Copernicus)

The container ship FLEXI 2 (IMO 9246322), departed the container terminal at Kandla, India, and is now sailing to the Suez Canal. The ARTMAN (IMO 9405930) remains anchored in the Gulf of Kutch, while ARTAM (IMO 9284154) is still anchored outside the Gulf of Kutch.

The container ship ZYRA (IMO 9237084) departed Port Klang and is sailing north in the Malacca Strait, returning to the Persian Gulf. On AIS, it lists the destination as Jebel Ali, UAE but ZYRA is most likely not heading there and will instead wait in the vicinity of Karachi due to the U.S. Blockade. Meanwhile DAISY (IMO 9270684), SHIBA (IMO 9270646) andARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) remained at the Port Klang anchorage. The container ship VIRA 1 (IMO 9088524), which is currently in the Gulf of Aden, is en route to Port Klang, from its previous port call in the Russian Baltic. The container ship ALOR 2 (IMO 9228538) appeared on AIS in the Malacca Strait for the first time since July 9, when it was near Bandar Abbas. Its destination is listed as Singapore, but most likely is heading to the Malaysian EOPL anchorage.

Meanwhile, the container ship SHAMIM (IMO 9270658) remained anchored about 60km offshore of Penang, in international waters in the Malacca Strait. 

The container ships BASHT (IMO 9346536) and PARNIA (IMO 9167265) remain anchored in the Malaysian EOPL anchorage area, while the bulk cargo ship ARIES (IMO 9369722) transited the Singapore Strait eastward and stopped for nine hours in the EOPL, before sailing north into the South China Sea. Its destination is Lanshan, China, in the Yellow Sea.

The bulk carrier BEHDOKHT (IMO 9405978) remained anchored near Laem Chabang port in Thailand. Meanwhile, the general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) is sailing via the Java Sea to Surabaya, Indonesia, but has not been detected on AIS for nearly 24 hours.

The laden bulk carrier PARSHAD (IMO 9387786), continued to drift in the South China Sea for a fourth day, reporting “Not Under Command” on AIS.

There were several ship movements near Zhuhai at Gaolan Island. The container ship HAMOUNA (IMO 9820271)arrived and anchored outside of Zhuhai. KASHAN (9270696) pulled into the container terminal. ABYAN (IMO 9349667) got underway from the anchorage and sailed north to its next destination at the CJK anchorage, near Shanghai. Meanwhile, RADIN (9820257) will soon arrive at Zhuhai from the South China Sea; RAMA 3 (IMO 9303754) which had departed Shanghai for Zhuhai, has stopped and is loitering in the East China Sea; and ARTENOS (IMO 9283021) is en route from Malacca Strait. 

Iran-flagged vessels at Zhuhai on July 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

The Iran-flagged bulk cargo ship ANDIA (IMO 9193197) which is headed to Zhoushan Port, near Ningbo China, is now sailing north in the East China Sea. ANDIA is reporting that it has “Restricted Maneuverability.” It is likely that the ANDIA is being towed by the Chinese-flagged ocean-going tug JIN CHEN (9795256).

Iran-flagged vessels in the East China Sea on July 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Six container ships are currently anchored at CJK anchorage off Shanghai, China: BARZIN (IMO 9820269), AMINA (IMO 9305192), FLORA (IMO 9349576), ZARDIS (IMO 9349679), RAYEN (IMO 9820245), and ARZIN (IMO 9284142).  GANJ (IMO 9305219) pulled into port at Shanghai.

Three bulk cargo ships are currently at Dafeng, China, and one is approaching Lanshan, China, form the Yellow Sea.

The container ship BEHTA (IMO 9349590) stopped and began loitering in the Baltic Sea on the maritime boundary between Latvia and Sweden. This is likely to attract attention from the maritime authorities of the two countries. BEHTA will most likely eventually visit the Russian Baltic port of Bronka. However, it is likely to go dark once it reaches the Baltic. EU Directive 2025/811 required Mandatory Ship Reporting of key safety information, including insurance certificates due to substandard ships that pose substantial risks to maritime safety and marine ecosystems.

Iran-flagged vessel in the Baltic Sea on July 23 (Credit: Marine Traffic)