March 25, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily in International Shipping News 26/03/2026 Operational Overview Maritime activity in and around the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained but operational under a clearly selective transit framework. While commercial shipping has not resumed through standard lanes, vessel movements continue through controlled routing patterns aligned with Iranian oversight. On March 24, only four AIS-transmitting vessels crossed the Strait, while standard commercial lanes remained empty as of 02:15 GMT. At the same time, vessel presence across the Gulf remained substantial, indicating that operations have not stopped, but are being filtered and managed. Iran’s control model is now explicit. Its communication to the UN and IMO that “non-hostile” vessels may transit if coordinated reinforces what is already visible in routing behavior. Transit is no longer governed by open navigation, but by conditional access. Beyond the Strait, the broader maritime system is adjusting. Energy flows remain active, but underlying structures are shifting, and second-order impacts are emerging across global commodity markets. Strait of Hormuz Transit and Control Transit activity through Hormuz remains limited and tightly structured. On March 24, one AIS-transmitting vessel exited the Gulf, while three entered. Movements followed the established northern routing pattern near Larak Island, reinforcing the emergence of a managed corridor rather than open passage. At the same time, two cargo vessels above 50 meters entered the Gulf without transmitting AIS while hugging the Omani coastline. This indicates continued reliance on reduced-visibility movement alongside controlled transit. As of 02:15 GMT, no vessels were observed in standard commercial lanes, while at least 10 vessels above 180 meters were positioned north of Larak Island, likely awaiting sequencing for controlled passage. This pattern suggests that transit is not only restricted but actively staged and regulated. Gulf Vessel Presence Overview AIS-transmitting foreign vessel activity in the Arabian Gulf totaled 592 vessels, including 325 cargo vessels and 267 tankers. Breakdown by vessel subclass: Bulk carriers: 149 vessels. LNG and LPG carriers: 37 vessels. Oil products tankers: 71 vessels. Crude oil tankers: 67 vessels. Container vessels: 38 vessels. Other vessel types: 230 vessels. Top flag registries (excluding Gulf states): Panama: 124 vessels. Liberia: 78 vessels. Saint Kitts and Nevis: 25 vessels. Singapore: 24 vessels. India: 19 vessels. Malta: 17 vessels. Barbados: 17 vessels. Hong Kong: 17 vessels. Top company locations by vessel presence: Marshall Islands: 112 vessels. Greece: 81 vessels. China: 76 vessels. Singapore: 50 vessels. Liberia: 54 vessels. Despite constrained transit through Hormuz, global participation in Gulf operations remains intact, reflecting continued commercial engagement under elevated risk. Vessel Activity Trends Operational behavior continues to shift in response to the evolving risk environment. The data shows continued movement alongside reduced anchoring and persistent deceptive behavior, indicating adaptation to constrained operating conditions. Iranian Crude Export Activity and Floating Storage Iranian crude exports remain relatively steady, but the structure supporting them is changing. As of March 23, approximately 163 million barrels of Iranian oil were on the water, with more than 90% bound for China. Total floating volumes s