Maritime activity across the Arabian Gulf remains constrained but operationally active, with over 600 foreign-flagged vessels currently transmitting AIS in the region, Windward explains.
While large-scale commercial flows continue, vessel behavior indicates sustained disruption, including elevated dark activity, reduced anchoring durations, and shifting routing patterns under heightened geopolitical control, according to Windward’s analysis as of 23 March.
Key updates
Maritime activity across the Gulf remains active but constrained, with over 600 foreign-flagged vessels operating under shifting routing and behavioral patterns.
Iran continues to enforce a controlled transit model through Hormuz, enabling selective passage via IRGC-managed corridors based on cargo type and destination.
Dark activity and identity manipulation remain persistent, including the transit of a zombie LNG carrier using a recycled vessel identity.
Iranian crude exports remain elevated, with 161 million barrels on the water under a temporary sanctions waiver, primarily bound for China.
Russian oil volumes remain high despite infrastructure disruptions at Baltic export terminals, introducing forward supply risk.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating Red Sea exports via Yanbu to offset Gulf constraints and reduce reliance on Hormuz transit.
LNG, LPG, and container flows remain below seasonal norms, indicating sustained pressure on both energy distribution and global trade lanes.
Port operations show continued volatility, with increased rerouting, delays, and destination changes across key hubs.
Maritime security risk remains elevated, with vessel targeting and infrastructure disruption continuing across multiple regions.
Controlled transit through the Strait of Hormuz
Iran continues to enforce selective control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, enabling vessel movement through IRGC-controlled corridors within its territorial waters.
Over the past three days, multiple vessels have transited using this alternative routing, including LPG carriers, bulk carriers transporting agricultural cargo, and vessels linked to energy flows toward China and regional actors.
A 26-year-old, falsely flagged LNG carrier was identified as a zombie vessel that transited the Strait on March 20 before switching off its AIS. The vessel had previously been listed as “broken up” in the Equasis database, indicating identity reuse and deceptive shipping practices. Its first signal in the region appeared on March 13 at Hamriyah anchorage in the UAE, despite records showing it had been sent to Alang for shipbreaking in October.
The U.S.-sanctioned tanker North Star (IMO 9299563) transited the Strait on March 20, sailing toward Asia after receiving coverage under a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian cargoes already in transit. The vessel was sanctioned less than a month prior, and its successful passage highlights how recent regulatory adjustments are enabling specific sanctioned cargoes to move despite broader restrictions.
On March 22, a small containership signaling “all crew China” transited the corridor, alongside the LPG carrier Meda (IMO 8818219), which regularly calls at the Houthi-controlled port.
Meanwhile, two LPG carriers were observed transiting in coordinated movement on March 23 while signaling crew nationality, suggesting deliberate identification aligned with approved passage conditions.
Three bulk carriers also moved through the corridor, including one westbound vessel signaling “cargo food for Iran,” indicating that agricultural supply flows into Imam Khomeini port are being maintained under controlled conditions.
Select energy commodities for Pakistan, along with crude flows to China and Houthi-linked destinations in Yemen, are also receiving transit authorization. Together, these movements illustrate a structured transit environment in which access is granted based on cargo type, destination, and geopolitical alignment, rather than open commercial navigation.
…Windward highlights.
LNG, LPG and container activity
Gas and container flows continue to reflect the depth of disruption across both energy distribution and global trade lanes.
Currently, 11 LNG tankers are transmitting AIS in the Gulf, representing a 17.2% decline compared to the 7-day average. LPG exports have dropped to approximately 240,000 barrels per day, just 10% of the seasonal average of 1.2 million barrels per day.
Container vessels in the Middle East Gulf, March 22, 2026. Source: Windward Maritime AI™ Platform.
Container vessel activity remains similarly constrained, with 38 vessels recorded, reflecting a 12.8% decrease compared to the 7-day average. Together, these figures point to sustained suppression of both gas exports and containerized trade across the region.
Vessel activity trends
Operational behavior across the Gulf shows shifting patterns over the past three days:
Credit: Windward
The decline in prolonged anchoring and dark activity suggests increased operational movement, while consistent identity manipulation indicates continued deceptive shipping practices.
Outlook
The maritime system remains operational but increasingly defined by control, constraint, and adaptation. Transit through the Strait of Hormuz is no longer governed by open commercial access, but by selective routing aligned with geopolitical and operational considerations.
Energy flows continue despite disruption, supported by sanctions waivers, alternative export corridors, and sustained on-water volumes, but underlying supply stability is becoming more fragile as infrastructure disruptions and enforcement pressure increase.
At the same time, reduced gas exports, constrained container activity, and volatile port operations indicate that broader trade systems have not yet stabilized.
Absent a major shift in the security environment, maritime operations are likely to remain fragmented, with continued reliance on controlled corridors, alternative routing, and adaptive behavior across both state and commercial actors.