Four weeks into the Iran war, vessel traffic through the critical oil passage of the Hormuz Strait appears to remain largely stalled, despite Tehran’s efforts to establish a toll mechanism. Tracking data based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals showed that only four bulk carriers and two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers transited the waterway on Thursday, bringing the total for the past seven days to 39 vessels. By comparison, an average of nearly 60 commercial ships passed through daily in 2025.
Although Iran has attempted to set up a fee system—with individual voyage "transit fees" reaching as high as $2 million—the move does not appear to have boosted traffic. Tehran also stated this week that it would ban ships from "hostile" nations, implying that vessels from certain other countries might be permitted to pass. Tracking data further indicates that former U.S. President Donald Trump's claim of Iran allowing 10 tankers to pass as a "gift" does not yet seem to have materialized.
It is worth noting that some vessels may be transiting discreetly, making precise assessment of actual traffic difficult. Most ships turn off their signaling equipment while passing through the strait, only reactivating it after moving a safe distance away. Additionally, delays in satellite imagery of the region further complicate observation efforts.
On Friday, Iran and Israel continued exchanging missile attacks, with Tehran also targeting Gulf states. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones and missiles headed toward Riyadh, alarms sounded in Doha, and Kuwait’s port sustained damage from a drone strike. Israel stated it is intensifying strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.
Reports emerged on Friday that Greek shipowner Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. dispatched at least a third tanker through the strait. To account for vessels that disable their transponders, tracking methods monitor both ships that reappear after moving away from the Hormuz area and those that disappear from the Persian Gulf.
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