Hormuz Shipping at Virtual Standstill as Only Six Vessels Cross Despite Ceasefire Deal

Shipping data shows the Strait of Hormuz remains at a virtual standstill, with traffic 95% below normal levels despite a fragile two-week truce.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 7:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

The Persistence of the Maritime Blockade

International shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has failed to recover following the announcement of a two-week humanitarian ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to analysis from maritime intelligence firms Kpler and Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only six commercial vessels successfully transited the chokepoint in the 24-hour period ending April 9, 2026. This data underscores a persistent state of paralysis in the world’s most vital energy corridor, which has been effectively shuttered since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran on February 28. The current figures represent a catastrophic decline from the historical average of approximately 140 vessels that utilized the route daily during peacetime.

The "Tehran Toll Booth" and Transit Vetting

Industry experts point to Iran’s rigorous and controversial vetting process as the primary obstacle to the resumption of free navigation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to operate what analysts have dubbed the "Tehran Toll Booth," a corridor near Larak Island where shippers are reportedly required to seek explicit permission and, in some cases, pay substantial fees for safe passage. Although President Donald Trump signaled that the ceasefire was predicated on the reopening of the strait, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that all maritime movement remains subject to "technical limitations" and direct coordination with Iranian naval forces.

Vessel Backlog and Global Supply Chain Impact

The continued restriction of movement has created a massive backlog of tankers anchored in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber recently warned that approximately 230 laden vessels are currently waiting to transit, carrying nearly 200 million barrels of crude oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This "supply gap" has moved beyond market speculation into a physical reality, causing fuel prices to surge as global refiners struggle to source alternative feedstocks. Major shipping conglomerates, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, continue to divert assets around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, a detour that adds weeks to delivery schedules and billions in additional fuel costs.