Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dwindled to only a few mostly Iran-linked vessels crossing on Wednesday, underscoring the stop-start nature of traffic through the world’s most vital energy chokepoint.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dwindled to only a few mostly Iran-linked vessels crossing on Wednesday, underscoring the stop-start nature of traffic through the world’s most vital energy chokepoint.
A vessel is anchored off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on May 21.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz gained modest momentum over the past 24 hours as at least two non-Iranian supertankers exited the Persian Gulf, the latest mini-flurry in energy flows transiting the vital waterway.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz gained modest momentum over the past 24 hours as at least two non-Iranian supertankers exited the Persian Gulf, the latest mini-flurry in energy flows transiting the vital waterway.
Vessels off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on May 21. Source: AFP/Getty Images
A supertanker hauling Iraqi crude to China has left the Persian Gulf and crossed the US blockade line into the Arabian Sea, as talks continue to end the war between the US and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A supertanker hauling Iraqi crude to China has left the Persian Gulf and crossed the US blockade line into the Arabian Sea, as talks continue to end the war between the US and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Ships anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran on May 16. Photographer: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images Europe
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping, with maritime traffic reduced to a trickle and dominated by Iranian-linked vessels. There were few notable foreign-affiliated movements amid reports of Iran’s Bitcoin-backed insurance program for shipping companies willing to transit the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping, with maritime traffic reduced to a trickle and dominated by Iranian-linked vessels. There were few notable foreign-affiliated movements amid reports of Iran’s Bitcoin-backed insurance program for shipping companies willing to transit the waterway.
Ships anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran on May 16.
Iran’s main oil export facility in the Persian Gulf stayed devoid of tankers for at least a 10th day, underscoring the growing strain on Tehran from a US naval blockade.
Iran’s main oil export facility in the Persian Gulf stayed devoid of tankers for at least a 10th day, underscoring the growing strain on Tehran from a US naval blockade.
A Suezmax tanker identified as carrying Iraqi crude is approaching India after apparently crossing the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.
BANDAR ABBAS, IRAN - MAY 15: People are seen swimming along the coast of the Persian Gulf, while Iranian and foreign cargo vessels wait in the background for clearance to pass through the Strait of Hormuz onMay 15, 2026 in Bandar Abbas, Iran.
The number of supertankers hauling unsanctioned oil through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of rising in recent days, offering limited relief to an oil market that’s suffered the largest supply disruption in history.
The number of supertankers hauling unsanctioned oil through the Strait of Hormuz has shown signs of rising in recent days, offering limited relief to an oil market that’s suffered the largest supply disruption in history.
Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, in a photo from Iran’s ISNA news agency on May 2.
A Chinese-owned supertanker hauling Iraqi crude through the Persian Gulf is set to test the US blockade over the next 24 hours as it attempts to exit the largely shuttered Strait of Hormuz. The transit would coincide with President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
A Chinese-owned supertanker hauling Iraqi crude through the Persian Gulf is set to test the US blockade over the next 24 hours as it attempts to exit the largely shuttered Strait of Hormuz. The transit would coincide with President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
USS Rafael Peralta implements a maritime blockade against a tanker attempting to pass through the straight of Hormuz.
The oil jetties at Iran’s Kharg Island were once again empty on Tuesday, curbing the nation’s ability to export crude, satellite images collected by Bloomberg show.
The oil jetties at Iran’s Kharg Island were once again empty on Tuesday, curbing the nation’s ability to export crude, satellite images collected by Bloomberg show.
Iran's main oil export terminal at Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. Source: AFP/Getty Images
Oil shipments from Iran’s main export terminal appear to have come to a standstill over the past several days, according to satellite images, the first sign of a prolonged halt since the start of the war.
Oil shipments from Iran’s main export terminal appear to have come to a standstill over the past several days, according to satellite images, the first sign of a prolonged halt since the start of the war.
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shuttered, with Iran-linked vessels dominating what little traffic is moving across the waterway. An Iraqi supertanker’s rare passage has come to a halt after a retreat from the US naval blockade line.
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shuttered, with Iran-linked vessels dominating what little traffic is moving across the waterway. An Iraqi supertanker’s rare passage has come to a halt after a retreat from the US naval blockade line.
An oil supertanker that exited the Persian Gulf on Sunday hauling a cargo of Iraqi crude appears to have stopped shy of the US naval blockade line and is now turning back into the Gulf of Oman.
An oil supertanker that exited the Persian Gulf on Sunday hauling a cargo of Iraqi crude appears to have stopped shy of the US naval blockade line and is now turning back into the Gulf of Oman.
A motorboat and tanker off the town of Al Jeer, United Arab Emirates on the Strait of Hormuz. Photographer: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping after the US and Iran clashed overnight near the waterway, attacking each other’s assets in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping after the US and Iran clashed overnight near the waterway, attacking each other’s assets in the area.
USS Michael Murphy patrols the Arabian Sea on April 15. Source: US Navy
No region of the world produces more oil and gas than the countries straddling the Persian Gulf. Most of this energy can only be exported aboard tankers that cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that’s effectively been blocked for more than two months.
No region of the world produces more oil and gas than the countries straddling the Persian Gulf. Most of this energy can only be exported aboard tankers that cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that’s effectively been blocked for more than two months.
A satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz Photographer: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025/Getty Images
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