How many non-Iranian oil and LPG tankers have successfully entered and exited the Strait of Hormuz since March 1 amid the Iran war, and what does this indicate about current shipping activity?

According to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, at least 19 oil- and liquefied petroleum gas-carrying ships without Iranian links have both entered and exited the Strait of Hormuz since March 1. This small number underscores the emergence of a limited group of shipowners willing to risk crossing the strait despite heightened danger, while merchant shipping through the vital energy chokepoint has otherwise ground to a halt since late February due to US-Israeli attacks and subsequent Iranian retaliation. The crossings represent only a fraction of pre-war transit volumes, which accounted for about a fifth of the world’s oil supply.

What is the status of non-Iranian tankers that entered the Persian Gulf before the war began, and how does it compare to those entering after hostilities started?

About 100 non-Iranian oil- and LPG-carrying tankers that entered the Persian Gulf before the conflict remain stuck there for fear of attacks, whereas only one large tanker that entered the Gulf after the war started has failed to exit — meaning 19 others successfully entered and exited since March 1. This stark contrast highlights the severe disruption to maritime commerce caused by the escalation, with most vessels avoiding the route entirely while a small, determined subset continues operations under special arrangements, including some government-level deals.

Tankers Entering Hormuz During Iran War Successfully Exit

May 18, 2026

Bloomberg data shows at least 19 non-Iranian oil and LPG tankers have exited the Persian Gulf since March 1 despite conflict risks. This limited activity contrasts with over 100 stranded vessels, highlighting ongoing disruptions to global energy supply chains.

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