Iran Allows Chinese Ships Through Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Tensions - News and Statistics

Mar 31, 2026

According to a report from The Maritime Executive, two Chinese-owned containerships were allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz on March 30. The vessels, each with a capacity of approximately 20,000 TEU, are registered in Hong Kong and operated by a division of the Chinese state-owned COSCO Shipping. They are identified as the CSCL Arctic Ocean and CSCL Indian Ocean, each 184,000 dwt.

The ships had initially approached the strait from the region of the United Arab Emirates on the preceding Friday but turned back to an anchorage. Iranian officials stated they turned back three Chinese ships to punish the current President of the United States, whom they accused of not telling the truth about agreements to release tankers. After remaining at anchor over the weekend, the two vessels resumed their voyage and passed into the Gulf of Oman.

These ships are noted as the first large containerships Iran has permitted to use the passage, aside from its own vessels. Their AIS transmissions displayed the message identifying them as Chinese owned and crewed. Following them, a Chinese-owned bulker registered in Panama, the Mac Hope, also appears to have been permitted to transit on the same day.

Reports indicate a trickle of ships from noncombatant nations has been allowed to pass. Over the weekend, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers transited on Saturday, followed by two others carrying cooking gas. There are reports that Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, and China have all received agreements for their ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday evening, the current President told reporters that Iran had agreed to release an additional 20 ships as a tribute and sign of respect for the United States. Analysts have had difficulty identifying specific ships matching that reported number. Hours later, on social media, he threatened that if the strait was not open for business, the U.S. would respond by blowing up and completely obliterating Iranian infrastructure, including electric generating plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island.

On Monday, the President repeated that the U.S. was in talks with a more reasonable regime in Iran and cited serious discussions and great progress. Iranian factions continue to deny negotiations or demand a total U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East to end the war. One report said Iran is also demanding it be permitted to charge ongoing fees for transit through the strait. The President had previously set a deadline of April 6 for Iran to agree to a deal.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Secretary of State predicted the strait would reopen one way or another. The Treasury Secretary expressed optimism that more ships were coming through but stated that over time, the U.S. would retake control of the straits to ensure freedom of navigation, potentially through U.S. or multinational escorts.

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