Windward: Strait of Hormuz traffic shows signs of recovery

April 28 ------ Maritime activity across the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding corridors is beginning to recover, though it remains constrained by ongoing enforcement measures and sanctions-related disruptions, according to analysis by Windward.

Transit volumes picked up on April 25 after several days of reduced movement, with all crossings taking place under full AIS visibility. At the same time, U.S. enforcement efforts have expanded beyond the Gulf. Overall, the operating environment is characterized by a partial recovery, continued enforcement pressure and ongoing adjustments by high-risk maritime networks.

Key info

• Hormuz transit rebounds to 19 crossings, all with AIS active and no dark transits.

• U.S. intercepts sanctioned LPG SEVAN in the Arabian Sea, extending enforcement beyond the Gulf.

• Kharg Island shows active loading alongside a growing queue of at least 8 VLCCs.

• Gulf vessel presence rises to 892, signaling a broader recovery in activity.

• Dark activity increases to 123 events despite improved AIS compliance during transit.

• Vessel behavior reflects controlled reopening under continued enforcement and sanctions pressure.

U.S. enforcement expands beyond the Gulf

On April 25, U.S. naval forces intercepted the sanctioned LPG tanker LPG SEVAN in the central Arabian Sea, marking a clear extension of enforcement activity beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel is a Panama-flagged LPG tanker assessed as part of the Iranian dark fleet and was designated under OFAC sanctions on April 24, one day prior to the interception. It was listed among 19 shadow fleet vessels involved in transporting Iranian energy products, including propane and butane.

U.S. Treasury reporting indicates that LPG SEVAN previously transported approximately 750,000 barrels of Iranian LPG cargo to Bangladesh between August and November 2025, establishing a pattern of sanctions-evasion activity.

At the time of interception, the vessel was carrying approximately 200.6 thousand barrels of LPG+/olefins. While declaring Dubai as its destination, its operational routing indicated a trajectory toward Jaigarh, India, consistent with prior Iranian export patterns.

The U.S. Central Command also reported that American naval forces intercepted an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 24 April. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta was enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports when it stopped a vessel attempting to sail toward Iran.

Transit activity rebounds under full visibility

Transit activity rebounded sharply following the late-April slowdown. As explained by Windward, on April 25, a total of 19 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz, including five inbound and fourteen outbound transits. All crossings were conducted with AIS active, marking a complete absence of dark transits.

Inbound traffic consisted entirely of cargo vessels, including one Tanzania-flagged vessel, one Iran-flagged vessel, and three vessels flagged to India, all routing via the Northern Corridor. Furthermore, outbound traffic included three tankers flagged to Madagascar, the Caribbean Netherlands, and Panama; two bulk carriers flagged to Barbados and Iran; and nine cargo vessels flagged to Gambia, India, Somalia, two to Iran, and four to Comoros. This represents a clear increase in outbound movement, led by a mix of high-risk tankers and bulk carriers alongside moderate-risk cargo traffic.

Gulf activity rebuilds

Total vessel presence across the Gulf increased to 892 vessels, a rise of 126 compared to the previous day, reflecting a broader recovery in maritime activity. Panama remained the dominant flag state with 140 vessels, followed by Iran (106), Comoros (86), Marshall Islands (73), Liberia (72), and the UAE (68).

Moreover, fleet composition included 149 bulk carriers, 138 product tankers, 78 crude tankers, 61 container ships, 41 LNG and LPG carriers, and 34 chemical tankers. Dark activity events increased to 123, indicating a renewed rise in deceptive shipping practices even as overall AIS compliance improved during transit.

Source: safety4sea.com