Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at pre-agreement levels despite the upcoming formal reopening of the passage, according to data from the tracking platform Kpler. While daily transit averages hover at eight ships—consistent with the previous week—the reactivation of transponders on several vessels within the Iranian “ghost fleet” signals a shift in regional maritime behavior as the U.S. and Iran prepare to sign a de-escalation protocol in Switzerland.
Why are Iranian ‘ghost fleet’ vessels reappearing?
Several oil tankers previously operating under international sanctions have reactivated their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, which had been dormant for months to evade tracking. According to MarineTraffic, vessels including the Amber, Diona, Sonia I, Starla, Tour 2, and Hero II began emitting signals again this week near the Iranian port of Chabahar. Kpler reports that these ships previously traversed the Strait of Hormuz with transponders disabled to transport oil from Kharg Island during the Middle East conflict. The simultaneous nature of these activations suggests a coordinated administrative decision rather than individual crew actions, according to analysis posted by MarineTraffic on X.
Before the recent conflict, the Strait of Hormuz served as a transit point for one-fifth of the world’s hydrocarbon exports, recording roughly 120 daily transits, according to Lloyd’s List.
What happens to global supply chains after the reopening?
Industry leaders warn that the resumption of standard traffic will not be instantaneous. A European maritime sector executive noted that ports will likely face significant congestion, requiring a total reorganization of global logistics chains. While the U.S. and Iran are set to sign a protocol to end the conflict, the practical reality involves a two-month negotiation period. Vessels that previously bypassed the U.S. blockade, as tracked by TankerTrackers, will now need to integrate back into formal maritime traffic patterns, a process that is expected to create bottlenecks at major regional hubs.
How does the current traffic compare to previous months?
Data from Kpler indicates that the volume of trade has not yet spiked despite the diplomatic progress. Monday saw eight ships pass through the strait, followed by six on Tuesday—a figure that matches the average of eight daily transits recorded during the week prior to the agreement. This stability contrasts with the period of the U.S. blockade imposed in mid-April, during which Tehran claimed the restriction was active, though Washington has yet to provide formal confirmation of the blockade’s official lifting.
Monitor AIS data through platforms like MarineTraffic or Kpler for real-time updates on vessel movements, as these signals serve as the primary indicator for the normalization of maritime trade routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Strait of Hormuz fully open to all traffic?
While an agreement to end the conflict is moving toward a signing phase, traffic remains at levels similar to those seen during the height of the conflict. Full operational normalization is expected to take time due to logistical congestion.
Why were Iranian tankers keeping their transponders off?
According to Kpler, these vessels—often referred to as the “ghost fleet”—turned off their AIS transponders to evade international sanctions and surveillance while transporting oil during the conflict.
What is the role of the upcoming Switzerland agreement?
The protocol, set to be signed in Switzerland, marks the formal end of the conflict and initiates a two-month negotiation period aimed at fully reopening the strait and stabilizing regional maritime trade.
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