How many ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz?
How many ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz?
Tracking data from MarineTraffic reveals that four vessels connected to Iran have traversed the Strait of Hormuz amid the implementation of a U.S. naval blockade. However, two of these ships have since altered their course, indicating a potential shift in movement. The U.S.-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which had sailed eastward from Sharjah, UAE, through the strait overnight, has now changed direction. Similarly, the bulk carrier Christianna, which passed through the waterway on Monday after docking at Bandar Imam Khomeini in Iran, is now moving back west.
Another vessel, the Elpis, a U.S.-sanctioned tanker, transited the strait on Tuesday and may have originated from the Iranian port of Bushehr. The tracking data now shows it has halted on the eastern side of the strait. U.S. Central Command stated that six ships had followed orders to reverse direction, asserting that “no vessels from Iranian ports succeeded in passing the blockade.”
Complexity of Tracking Movements
The identification of ships navigating the strait is complicated by the possibility of location signal manipulation or incomplete data submissions. At least four more vessels with unclear ties to Iran have crossed since the blockade began on Monday. This situation has intensified as the Strait of Hormuz has become a critical point in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
President Donald Trump attributed the blockade to Iran’s “knowing failure” to reopen the strait. He also warned that the U.S. Navy would “blow to hell” any Iranians attempting to attack it, and would take action against ships paying transit fees to Iran. The disruption has already affected global supply chains, with energy prices fluctuating and highlighting the strait’s strategic importance.
Risks and Uncertainties
“There is a risk of further escalation involving direct attacks on ships,” said Jakob Larsen of the Baltic and International Maritime Council.
BBC Verify analyzed 18 vessels passing through the strait between the collapse of ceasefire talks and the blockade’s announcement on Sunday. At least 16 of these ships were linked to Iran, either by flag or port of call. Prior to the conflict, an average of 138 ships daily used the strait. If non-Iranian vessels resume movement, experts suggest fully loaded tankers will be the first to be prioritized for release.
“We need to confirm the safety of navigation for ships and seafarers,” stated Thomas Kazakos of the International Chamber of Shipping.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has outlined permitted routes to avoid sea mines, marking a central area as “dangerous.” The U.S. is deploying destroyers, including the USS Frank E Petersen and USS Michael Murphy, to clear mines laid by the IRGC. This marks a significant shift in transit patterns, with ships now taking a northerly route near Iran’s coast, deviating from the usual southerly path through the strait’s middle.
Additional reporting by Kayleen Devlin and Shruti Menon. Updated on 14 April to reflect the latest vessel movements since the ceasefire. What claims do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
