Strait of Hormuz Tanker Exodus: 29 of 109 Stranded Vessels Cross Chokepoint Since Conflict Began - News and Statistics

May 31, 2026

Nearly one-quarter of the large oil tankers not belonging to Iran that were stuck inside the Arabian Gulf have successfully escaped, boosting shipowners’ hopes for a rise in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. More vessels departed the waterway this week, with the United States offering intelligence to facilitate their trips. According to shipping data compiled by Bloomberg, 29 out of 109 larger ships—those able to transport 700,000 barrels or more—that were trapped after the strait was effectively closed when hostilities erupted on February 28 have now passed through the chokepoint.

At least two shipowners, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said they had communicated with U.S. military forces, which gave them advice on the best way to navigate the waterway. A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command stated that American military assets are not providing escorts to ships, but the command continues to offer guidance to commercial vessels in the area. One person familiar with a crossing reported that a group of ships was approached by suspected Iranian fast boats during the voyage. The boats were driven off by helicopters that appeared suddenly nearby, allowing the individual’s vessel to continue away from Hormuz.

Chevron chief executive Mike Wirth told Bloomberg TV on Friday that some ships crossing the strait have recently been attacked. That same day, the United States confirmed that any arrangements with Iran to ensure safe passage through the strait—including those that do not involve paying a toll—are forbidden. Some of the vessels that have crossed belong to companies that had not made the transit since the war began, according to several people involved in shipping markets. Two individuals said some ships were entering the Arabian Gulf as well as departing.

If this trend continues, the rise in transits could indicate that more shipping firms are prepared to undertake the journey, enhancing the movement of everything from oil and gas to consumer goods. Until now, crossings were mostly limited to ships operating under bilateral government agreements or owned by a small group of more daring shipping executives willing to accept the dangers of sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. Some of the vessels that crossed in recent days did so with their satellite transponders switched off and have not yet reactivated them, suggesting that conventional ship-tracking methods may underestimate how many are making the trip.

Ship-tracking data reveals that at least a quarter of the non-Iranian vessels stranded in the strait since the conflict began have managed to exit. The White House has repeatedly issued mixed signals about the possibility of a deal with Iran. A new agreement between the two countries could potentially pave the way for a wider reopening of shipping through the strait. Owners said privately that they hope the accord would enable a resumption of Hormuz flows, but uncertainty persisted until its full terms are disclosed.

TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said on Friday that his company would require signs of lasting peace before sending vessels back into the Arabian Gulf. A sustained recovery in shipping also has the potential to boost oil tanker earnings, which are already at their highest in a generation in the short term, if a peace emerges that makes shipowners comfortable with transiting. Gerasimos Kalogiratos, chief executive of Capital Tankers, said on an earnings call this week that he would expect a frenzy phase to begin once the strait reopens, and added that tanker costs would remain elevated in the longer term as global oil inventories replenish barrels lost to the war.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

REPORT DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

KEY FINDINGS
MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
UNSATURATED MARKETS
TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports

EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition
PRO

11.1

United States