Iran Shipping Update – August 11, 2026

The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains highly volatile. Following the collapse of the June 17 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the reinstatement of a U.S. blockade, Iran has targeted commercial shipping and Gulf States, while Tehran’s Yemeni Houthi partners threaten to expand the maritime conflict in the Red Sea.

U.S. Blockade and Sanctions

On July 14 at 4 p.m. ET, U.S. forces reimposed the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas while supporting compliant traffic in regional waters. As of August 9, U.S. forces have redirected 55 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 2 that didn't comply, and boarded 2 to ensure total compliance.

On August 11, U.S. forces reportedly interdicted the Panama-flagged container ship VELA NOVA (IMO 9136228) in the Gulf of Oman. While the VELA NOVA is not currently under sanctions, its recent movement patterns point to potential involvement in cargo transshipment operations tied to Iranian trade networks. Specifically, on August 4 to 5, UANI tracked the vessel docked in Mumbai at the exact same cargo terminal, Nhava Sheva Port near Mumbai, as the Iran-linked vessel ZYRA (IMO 9237084). The ZYRA, which currently broadcasts a false Comoros flag despite being registered under the Iranian flag, was previously identified by UANI for its role in sanctioned maritime commerce.

VELA NOVA and ZYRA moored at Nhava Sheva Port on August 5 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Houthi Blockade

On July 20, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabian ports. On August 4, Indian-registered vessel MSV FAIZE NOORE OLIYA was struck by an unknown projectile in the Red Sea and capsized; all 14 crew, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. The incident, attributed to a Houthi attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, highlights the continued threat to commercial shipping transiting the southern Red Sea despite the broader focus on attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthi threats and attacks against Saudi-linked shipping are already prompting some tankers, but not all, to reroute in the Red Sea. Rising insecurity in the Red Sea has caused a drop in tanker transits through Bab el-Mandeb of roughly 40% since the Houthis declared their blockade, according to data published by Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). Numerous tankers have been observed broadcasting “CHINESE OWNER” or “ARMED GUARD ON BOARD” as their destination during the transit of the Bab el-Mandeb, likely to help prevent being targeted.

In addition, the Houthis are reportedly considering charging most vessels to cross Bab el-Mandeb, with Chinese-flagged ships exempted under a separate safe-passage understanding already in place.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the Iran War, the International Maritime organization (IMO) has reported 66 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels have been reported across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. On 8 August, an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) tanker was targeted by an Iranian missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident follows 15 reported attacks on ADNOC vessels by missiles and drones since the conflict began in February, including three in the preceding week, underscoring the continuing threat to commercial shipping in the Strait.

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. After the signing of the MoU, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) 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 August 10, JMIC has reported a total of 788 vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the date of the signing of the MoU.  

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 August 11 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.

Tankers laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals are currently clustering in anchorages along the Iranian coastline due to the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. UANI has not tracked any tanker laden with Iranian crude oil that has departed the Gulf of Oman and avoided enforcement actions by U.S. forces since July 12, before the blockade was reinstated. 

Iranian Oil-Laden Tankers

UANI has identified at least 52 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 August 11 (Credit: UANI)

Number of Iranian Loadings

Since the signing of the U.S.-Iran MoU on June 17, UANI has tracked at least 36 Iranian oil and petrochemical loadings, 13 of which originated from Kharg Island, Iran. 

UANI has observed no tankers loading Iranian crude at Kharg Island in satellite imagery since July 30. 

No tankers loading at Kharg Island on August 11 (Credit: EOS Landsat)

Iran-flagged Tankers Globally

UANI has also monitored Iran-flagged tankers operating beyond the Persian Gulf. Since the signing of the MoU, 26 Iran-flagged tankers have reached the Singapore Strait bound for the EOPL anchorage off Johor, Malaysia. All these Iranian tankers are expected to conduct STS transfers in the EOPL, and 16 of these STS transfers have been observed in satellite imagery.

There are 10 Iran-flagged tankers currently in the EOPL: HUMANITY (IMO 9180281), DREAM II (IMO 9356593), STARLA (IMO 9569621), HILDA I (IMO 9357389), DAN (9357729), HALTI (IMO 9212890), HAPPINESS I (IMO 9212905), STREAM (IMO 9569633), HEDY (IMO 9212888) and DORENA (IMO 9569669). They have all previously passed the Singapore Strait and have since stopped broadcasting their location on AIS.

SEA CLIFF (IMO 9569657) departed the Malaysian EOPL and joined HERO II (IMO 9362073), SILVIA I (IMO 9172052), SNOW (IMO 9569619), HELM (IMO 9357391), DUNE (IMO 9569712), DEEP SEA (IMO 9218492), DIAMOND II (IMO 9218478), DINO 1 (IMO 9569671), SONIA I (IMO 9357365), DORE (IMO 9357717), HERBY (IMO 9362059), SEVIN (IMO 9357353), FELICITY (IMO 9183934), HENNA (IMO 9212929), AMBER (IMO 9357406) and DIONA (IMO 9569695) as the Iran-flagged tankers that have departed from the EOPL in ballast after completing STS transfers. SEA CLIFF has been loitering in ballast in the EOPL for over 2 months after conducting an STS transfer in early May. STARLA also left the EOPL empty, conducted another STS with the Iran-flagged tanker DEEP SEA in the Malacca Strait, and has since returned to the EOPL laden with Iranian crude, bringing the total to seventeen Iran-flagged tankers that have departed the EOPL empty since the signing of the MoU.

Iran-flagged tanker transiting Southeast Asian sea lanes on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Iran-flagged HUGE (IMO 9357183) has also departed the EOPL anchorage. This tanker had been loitering unladen in the EOPL anchorage for over two weeks after conducting an STS transfer of Iranian crude south of Hong Kong in the South China Sea on July 9. It is most likely headed to the Galle anchorage to join the other Iran-flagged tankers in ballast.

These departing Iran-flagged tankers are now heading to anchorages across the Indo-Pacific rather than back to Iranian ports because of the U.S. blockade. DIONA was last observed loitering offshore Duqm, Oman in satellite imagery on August 4, while 13 empty Iran-flagged tankers are currently anchored of Galle, Sri Lanka. Namely, HELM DIAMOND II, DEEP SEA, DUNE, DINO I, SONIA I, HERBY, SEVIN, AMBER, HENNA, FELICITY, HUGE and DORE.

Empty Iran-flagged tankers near Galle, Sri Lanka on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

On August 11, at least 46 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, and new constraints of the U.S. Blockade on Iranian ports, approximately 50 Iranian flagged cargo ships continue to operate openly across sea lanes, ports, and anchorages throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, and the eastern Mediterranean.  

Iran-flagged cargo vessels across the region on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the Karachi OPL anchorage, the laden bulk carrier BATIS (IMO 9465760) continued to loiter at anchor. BATIS will likely continue loitering in the Karachi OPL due to the U.S. Blockade. 

In the Gulf of Kutch, the container ships NYRA 2 (IMO 9241487), SHAMIM (IMO 9270658) and VELON 1 (IMO 9122473) remained anchored near Kandla Port. VELON 1 and NYRA 2 are broadcasting on AIS under different flags, although listed in the official IMO GISIS database as registered under the Iranian flag. Meanwhile, ARTMAN (IMO 9405930) and ARTAM (IMO 9284154) are each anchored outside the entrance of the Gulf of Kutch. 

In the Andaman Sea, the bulk carrier DELNAVAZ (IMO 9387803) is sailing north from the Malacca Strait toward its destination at Phuket, Thailand, arriving on August 12.

At Port Klang, Malaysia, the container ship VIRA 1 (IMO 9088524) continued cargo operations in port at Westports container terminal, while DAISY (IMO 9270684), SHIBA (IMO 9270646) and ARTABAZ (IMO 9283007) remain in the anchorage area. ENZO 2 (IMO 9236652) is currently in the Malacca Strait, en route to Port Klang, arriving on August 12.

Iran-flagged cargo ships in the Malacca Strait and Port Klang on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At the Malaysian EOPL anchorage, nine Iran-flagged cargo ships are anchored and loitering. The bulk carrier AMINA (IMO 9305192), general cargo ship PARNIA (IMO 9167265) and four container ships BASHT (IMO 9346536), ARZIN (IMO 9284142), FLORA (IMO 9349576), and HAMOUNA (IMO 9820271) remain anchored in the Malaysian EOPL area. Meanwhile, the bulk cargo ships GOLAFRUZ (IMO 9323833), GANJ (IMO 9305219) and BEHDOKHT (IMO 9405978) continued to anchor just north of the EOPL. ZYRA (IMO 9237084) is in the Malacca Strait en route to the EOPL, with an estimated arrival of August 13.

Iran-flagged cargo ships near the Malaysian EOPL on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

In the South China Sea, BAHJAT (IMO 9405954) and ANDIA (IMO 9193197) continued to sail south toward Singapore and will most likely stop at the Malaysian EOPL. The PARISAN (IMO 9465851) continued to sail south to Songkhla, Thailand, with an estimated arrival of August 15.  The general cargo ship AREZOO (IMO 9165786) continued to sail north towards its destination at Haiphong, Vietnam.

In the Gulf of Thailand, the bulk cargo ship ARDAVAN (IMO 9465863) in ballast condition, turned west and approached the vicinity of Koh Samui, Thailand. Its destination is listed as Laem Chabang, and the reason for the sudden change in direction is not known.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Thailand on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

At Zhuhai, the cargo ship RAYEN (IMO 9820245), conducted cargo operations in the container terminal for a third day. The container ships RADIN (IMO 9820257) and ARTENOS (IMO 9283021) remained anchored just south of the Gaolan Island in Zhuhai, China. 

Five container ships that earlier left the vicinity of Shanghai for Typhoon Dolphin, continue to operate near the Taiwan Strait. Two of the ships, BARZIN (IMO 9820269) and KASHAN (IMO 9270696) have begun to transit back towards CJK anchorage, while the other three continue to anchor and loiter.

In the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Gulf, four Iran-flagged cargo ships continued their operations.  The bulk carrier PARSHAD (IMO 9387786) sailed, in ballast condition, out of the Bahai Sea on its way to Singapore. The bulk carriers ARIES (IMO 9369722) and ARTIN (IMO 9305221) both sailed south, in ballast condition, toward the East China Sea. All three cargo ships will likely stop at the Malaysian EOPL. The laden bulk cargo ship DARYABAR (IMO 9369710)continued to anchor in the Yellow Sea.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Iran-flagged general cargo ship ALVAN (IMO 9165798) remained anchored outside Benghazi, Libya. Libya is under certain UN sanctions, and an arms embargo, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2819 (2026). 

At the Gibraltar Strait, the container ship SHABDIS (IMO 9349588) transited the strait toward the Atlantic Ocean, on its way to its destination at Bronka Port, in the Russian Baltic.

Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)

Near the Suez Canal, the general cargo ship AYSAN (IMO 9165803) remained anchored at Port Said at the north end of the Suez Canal after previously departing Misrata, Libya. On the southern side of the Suez Canal, the container shipFLEXI 2 (IMO 9246322) also remained anchored. Meanwhile, the container ship BEHTA (IMO 9349590), which previously departed the port of Bronka in the Russian Baltic, continued south in the Red Sea, toward its destination, which is listed as Shanghai, China. 

Iran-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on August 11 (Credit: Marine Traffic)