Amid escalating maritime tensions in the Persian Gulf, commercial oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed steadily since early May 2026—despite ongoing U.S. naval operations and Iran’s intermittent enforcement of maritime restrictions. According to data from the UK-based Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and satellite vessel-tracking firm MarineTraffic, over 120 laden crude oil tankers transited the strategic waterway between May 1–14, 2026—a figure comparable to pre-conflict averages and signaling resilience in global energy supply chains.
The resumption follows a complex sequence of naval posturing. Since April 22, the U.S. Navy has enforced a de facto blockade of Iranian commercial ports—including Bandar Abbas and Bushehr—citing UN Security Council Resolution 2231 compliance concerns and alleged weapons transfers. U.S. Central Command confirmed on May 5 that “no Iranian-flagged or Iran-bound commercial vessels have been permitted entry or exit without prior vetting,” though neutral third-party carriers remain unrestricted.
Iran, in turn, temporarily lifted its own declared “maritime security zone” across the Strait on April 28—only to reinstate it on May 9 under revised rules requiring all vessels within 12 nautical miles of its coast to submit real-time position reports and obtain prior clearance. Tehran insists the measure is “purely defensive and consistent with UNCLOS,” but industry analysts note it has introduced new operational delays and insurance premium surcharges for some charterers.
“While the Strait remains open and navigable, the regulatory uncertainty is palpable,” said Dr. Lena Petrova, Senior Maritime Risk Analyst at Lloyd’s List Intelligence. “We’ve seen a 22% uptick in war-risk premium requests for vessels calling at Gulf ports since late April—and a 15% rise in rerouting inquiries, particularly from Asian refiners seeking alternative routes via the Suez Canal.”
Notably, no major incidents involving commercial tankers have been reported during this period. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) emphasized in a May 12 statement: “Crew safety and navigational freedom remain paramount. We urge all parties to uphold international law and avoid actions that jeopardize the free flow of energy.”
With over 21 million barrels per day—nearly 22% of global oil consumption—passing through the Strait daily, continued stability remains critical. As diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of the upcoming P5+1 talks in Vienna, insurers and shipowners are closely monitoring both naval movements and evolving sanctions guidance from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the EU.
Source: https://www.internationalreinsurancenews.com/oil-tankers-transiting-strait-of-hormuz-since-start-of-iran-war-may-15-2026
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