Strait of Hormuz Traffic Remains Stagnant as Iran-Linked Vessels Dominate Post-Ceasefire Transit

Shipping data shows Iran-linked vessels make up the majority of Strait of Hormuz traffic as global shipping lines avoid the waterway despite a US-Iran truce.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 7:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

A Fragile Opening Under Restrictive Conditions

Ship-tracking data confirms that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most international commerce, with the vast majority of transits in the past 24 hours involving vessels linked to Iran. Although a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8, 2026, major global shipping lines continue to divert their fleets away from the Persian Gulf. According to data analysis from Kpler and Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only seven ships passed through the waterway in the last day, compared to a pre-war average of 140 transits. This limited traffic was almost entirely composed of Iranian crude tankers and dry bulk carriers, signaling that the waterway's reopening is far from complete.

Iranian Tankers Maintain Flow Amid Global Reticence

Three Iranian tankers, including a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) capable of transporting 2 million barrels of oil, successfully exited Iranian waters and transited the strait within the last 24 hours. These movements include a bunkering tanker and a smaller oil ship, both of which appear to be operating under a "business as usual" mandate from Tehran. While most of the world’s energy exports from the region have been halted since the conflict began on February 28, Iran’s own oil export hubs, such as Kharg Island, have continued to load vessels despite sustaining strikes on nearby military defense sites.

New Territorial Mandates and the Larak Island Route

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has asserted control over the ceasefire’s implementation by demanding that all vessels utilize a specific route through Iranian territorial waters. The IRGC cited the high risk of unexploded naval mines in traditional international shipping lanes as the rationale for rerouting traffic north of Larak Island. Vessels are now required to coordinate directly with the Iranian navy for passage, a condition that has led to rumors of potential transit fees and a "white list" of approved nations. This perceived seizure of maritime authority has prompted Western leaders and UAE energy officials to demand an unconditional reopening of the waterway.