WANA (Apr 11) – The latest satellite imagery and data indicate a significant decline in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire, with the strategic waterway now largely dominated by vessels linked to Iran.

 

According to tracking data from the oil shipment monitoring firm TankerTrackers, only 133 oil tankers exited the Strait over a 41-day period from March 1 to April 9, 2026. This translates to a daily average of just 3.24 tankers, reflecting a sharp drop in traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

 

Of these, 90 tankers have been identified as sanctions violators that do not pay transit fees to Iran, effectively indicating that they are either Iranian-owned or affiliated with Iran’s oil transport network. Among the remaining 43 vessels, there were three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), one LNG carrier, and 27 LPG carriers.

 

Data from MarineTraffic also shows that between April 8 and 9, a total of 14 vessels transited the Strait, including nine on April 9 alone. Most of the traffic consisted of outbound movements from the Persian Gulf, accounting for approximately 70 percent of total transits. More than half of the vessels were carrying cargo, while sanctioned or so-called “shadow fleet” vessels made up nearly two-thirds of all crossings.

 

Estimates suggest that overall traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined by more than 50 percent since the ceasefire, signaling a major shift in the flow of maritime trade in the region.

 

In a related development, early Tuesday morning, Donald Trump agreed to Iran’s ten conditions, accepting a ceasefire and the continuation of Iran’s management over the Strait of Hormuz. However, hours later, Israel violated one of the key terms of the agreement—refraining from attacking Lebanon—effectively breaking the ceasefire. In response, Iran closed the Strait, and satellite images at the time showed that no vessels other than Iranian ships were transiting the waterway.

 

Following these developments, vessels that had gathered at the entrance of the Strait in anticipation of the ceasefire remained stranded and uncertain.

 

More recently, reports from Islamabad indicate that Trump has agreed to a new Iranian precondition for reopening transit: allowing 15 vessels per day to pass through the Strait, contingent upon the payment of transit fees.

 

Analysts believe that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its previous state after the recent U.S.-Israeli coalition strikes against Iran. Instead, Iranian military forces are now effectively determining which vessels—and what cargo—are permitted to pass through this vital maritime route.