Hormuz Traffic Stays Thin as Uncertainty Persists Over US-Iran Truce
Tracking data as of 0900GMT showed just eleven vessels in transit over the preceding 24 hours — five moving from the Arabian Gulf toward the Gulf of Oman, and six traveling in the opposite direction.
Westbound traffic included the bulk carrier Ascanio headed to Shinas, Oman; the Panama-flagged tanker LPG Sevan bound for Sharjah, UAE; bulk carrier LB Energy sailing toward Santos, Brazil; crude oil tanker Atlantis II destined for Ras Al Kuh, Iran; and Nezami Ganjavi 6, listed near Khor Fakkan anchorage. Eastbound vessels included Harapan Perdana IX; Polaris, bound for Hamriyah Free Zone Port, UAE; the Bahamas-flagged oil and chemical tanker Musik heading to Sharjah, UAE; general cargo ship Jin Zeng 5 sailing toward Mukalla in southeastern Yemen; Arad 10, listed with Bandar Charak, Iran as its destination; and Epaminondas, shown near Mundra, India.
Sanctions complications add another layer of concern. VesselFinder identifies Atlantis II as subject to US OFAC sanctions, while Danish Maritime Authority records list Nizami Ganjavi as an EU-sanctioned vessel. Most tracked ships were marked as in transit, while others were listed as anchored or without defined navigation status.
Tensions in the strait intensified Wednesday when Iranian forces alleged that vessels were attempting to exit the waterway "covertly" and claimed they were intercepted based on intelligence monitoring.
On the American side, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Thursday that US forces had directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of Washington's naval blockade of Iranian ports. CENTCOM further disclosed the interception of two Iranian oil supertankers — Hedy and Hero II — which allegedly attempted to evade the blockade.
On the diplomatic front, US President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, granting Tehran additional time to prepare a "unified proposal" following an appeal from Pakistani officials. Islamabad's mediation effort is focused on laying the groundwork for a second round of US-Iran negotiations expected to take place soon in the Pakistani capital.
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