3 Ships Including Iranian Cargo Ship Attempt Passage Through Strait Of Hormuz Despite US-Iran Blockade

Three vessels, including an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, appeared to attempt passage through the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, even as US and Iranian blockades continued to disrupt one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

The Shoja 2, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, crossed the strait into the Gulf of Oman before ceasing to transmit its location.

Its movements are being closely monitored following the US Navy’s seizure of another Iranian cargo ship on Sunday, reported to be the first such capture since Washington imposed a blockade on the waterway last week.

The other two vessels had no clear links to Iran. The Lian Star, a general cargo ship flagged to Gambia, also crossed the strait and later turned south towards the Gulf of Oman.

The Ean Spir, a medium-range tanker with no identified owner, began sailing northeast from waters near Ras Al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates and was later seen south of Larak Island, showing Shinas in Oman as its destination.

Apart from those movements, traffic through the strategic waterway remained largely frozen after a chaotic weekend in which Iran declared the corridor open before closing it again after the United States did not lift its blockade.

Around 800 vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf.

US President Donald Trump said Monday the American blockade would remain in place for now. He also said a two-week ceasefire with Iran, due to expire Wednesday evening in Washington, was unlikely to be extended.

Talks between the two countries are expected to take place in Pakistan. Ship traffic through the strait has remained uncertain since the ceasefire came into effect.

At least three Mediterranean Shipping Co. container ships and one MSC cruise vessel, along with a small number of passenger vessels, appeared to have exited the Persian Gulf on Saturday while sailing close to the Omani coastline.

On Monday, two Iran-linked liquefied petroleum gas carriers and two oil product tankers, including one with Iranian ties, were reported to have transited the strait in both directions.

The Lian Star is listed in the Equasis database as being owned and managed by Dubai-based Mashini S, though no contact details were available for the company.

Ean Spir does not appear on any sanctions list, while Equasis reportedly lists its flag as unknown, a practice often associated with dark fleet tankers.

Reference: Bloomberg