Ship movements drop sharply after U.S. forces begin intercepting vessels linked to Iranian ports, prompting international concern over global shipping disruptions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly following the start of a U.S. naval blockade targeting vessels connected to Iran, according to shipping data and industry analysts.
The blockade, initiated by the U.S. Navy at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13, followed unsuccessful diplomatic talks held in Pakistan over the weekend. The action focuses on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, rather than all commercial traffic moving through the region.
Early indicators show a sharp drop in vessel activity. Shipping data cited by MarineTraffic showed that multiple tankers altered course after approaching the waterway. One tanker reversed direction after nearing the strait, while another vessel approached Larak Island before turning back and remaining in the Gulf of Oman.
Industry analyst Martin Kelly of EOS Risk Group reported that only 14 ships passed through the strait between April 13 and early April 14, a substantial decline compared to the roughly 138 vessels per day recorded in the weeks prior to the launch of U.S. military operations in late February.
Of the ships that did transit the waterway, several were identified as being on sanctions lists or associated with what analysts described as Iran’s “shadow fleet.” Others were traveling from Iranian ports or carrying cargo linked to sanctioned trade.
Additional vessel movements highlighted the uncertainty facing shipping operators. One Malawi-flagged ship initially turned back before making a second attempt and exiting into the Gulf of Oman. Another tanker, previously sanctioned by the United States, passed through the strait en route to Iraq to load fuel. A Panama-flagged vessel commonly used to transport petrochemical feedstock from Iran was reported heading toward the United Arab Emirates.
The blockade was announced by President Donald Trump, who stated that U.S. naval forces would begin intercepting ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. In a public message, Trump said, “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of blockading any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”
U.S. Central Command later clarified that the enforcement effort is limited to vessels connected to Iranian trade, not general maritime traffic passing through the corridor.
The move has drawn warnings from Iranian officials, who said no port in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman would remain secure if the blockade continues.
International responses have also emerged. Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer announced plans to convene a multinational initiative aimed at restoring safe passage for civilian shipping through the strait. Starmer described the disruption as “deeply damaging,” adding that restoring maritime flow is essential to easing global cost-of-living pressures. Macron said the effort would focus on a “strictly defensive” approach to ensure freedom of navigation.
China also criticized the blockade, with its foreign ministry calling the U.S. action “dangerous and irresponsible.”
Separate tracking reports indicated that some vessels may be attempting to obscure their origins. Analysts noted instances of tankers departing Iranian ports while transmitting misleading location data through their Automatic Identification Systems, a practice linked to a rise in GPS spoofing and signal interference affecting global shipping navigation systems.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, and the sharp reduction in traffic underscores the broader economic and geopolitical impact of the unfolding situation.
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