Shipping traffic rises in Strait of Hormuz as US‑Iran deal takes effect

Mon Jul 13 2026 03:53:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An increase in vessel crossings follows a new US‑Iran agreement, though traffic still trails pre‑war levels and mines remain a concern.

Data from maritime intelligence shows 172 ships have passed the Strait of Hormuz since the US‑Iran pact was signed, a significant jump from the low of 42 on a single day. Despite this uptick, the volume is still below the 138‑daily average seen before the conflict. The easing of US sanctions has allowed several Iranian‑linked tankers to move through the strait, many following the nudged northern route. India, the US and Oman caution ships to avoid central lanes because of mines, preferring a safer southern corridor. The agreement obliges Iran to facilitate commercial passage and formalise future administration with Oman.

Shipping traffic rises in Strait of Hormuz as US‑Iran deal takes effect

Data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that at least 172 vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the day after the US‑Iran agreement was signed. The daily average of crossings has climbed to 42 on a single day, but it remains below the pre‑war figure of about 138 ships a day.

Sanctions easing and Iranian‑linked tankers

Many of the recent tankers are linked with Iran and have been able to cross the strait thanks to a license issued by the US Treasury that allows the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemicals until 21 August. At least 30 tankers carrying Iranian crude and petrochemicals have departed the Gulf since the deal.

On Monday, five tankers that had previously been under US sanctions moved through the strait, carrying as much as four million barrels of oil. The US and UAE are encouraging “normal” trade, noting that several LNG tankers are also heading through to Qatar and other destinations.

Routes and mine concerns

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has warned ships to avoid the central, traditionally used lanes because of the presence of mines. Instead, vessels are advised to take a narrower southern route close to Oman’s coast, which has been cleared and confirmed safe.

Skilful navigation has seen a few tankers use the southern corridor: one Norway‑flagged vessel headed to Singapore, another Liberia‑flagged ship bound for Taiwan. Despite these movements, daily transits still fall short of pre‑war numbers.

Official statements and future policing

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has published its terms for passage, requiring a valid permit for all ships. However, its sanctions profile has raised caution among ship owners, some of whom are hesitant to request Iranian permits.

Iranian officials have issued conflicting messages: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strait was closed in response to Israeli strikes, whilst Iran’s UN ambassador insisted it was open, though a cap on daily crossings was mentioned.

Meanwhile, the US and Gulf partners remain wary as mine clearance operations continue and warn against using central lanes while the strait remains a floating geopolitical fulcrum.