FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Shipping Disrupted in Hormuz as Iran Targets Multiple Vessels, Bloomberg Analysis Says

By

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted as Iranian forces seized vessels and opened fire, according to a Bloomberg analysis on Wednesday.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took control of two ships, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, claiming they tried to exit the strait covertly, the analysis said.

A third vessel was reportedly attacked by the IRGC, according to the Wall Street Journal, cited in the analysis.

At least two Iranian supertankers also challenged a US-imposed blockade, which Tehran said is undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Only one liquefied petroleum gas carrier linked to Iran managed to leave the strait earlier on Wednesday, while inbound shipping activity remained minimal, the analysis said, citing Bloomberg ship-tracking data.

Data showed vessels moving through the strait largely stayed within a narrow northern corridor near Larak and Qeshm islands, a route approved by Iranian authorities, the analysis said.

Iran repositioned two of its oil supertankers, Hero II and Hedy, into the Arabian Sea, where the US has been actively enforcing restrictions on Iranian shipping activity, the analysis added, citing Vortexa.

The US Navy seized an Iran-linked cargo vessel and boarded a sanctioned oil tanker near Sri Lanka, underscoring its operational reach and ongoing efforts to police maritime flows in the region.

President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire despite rising tensions, signaling restraint while negotiations remain stalled and maritime confrontations continue, analysis said.

Blockades could prompt vessels to disable their tracking signals to avoid detection, making it difficult to accurately monitor shipping activity through the strait, the analysis noted.

This limited visibility can later distort data, as transit figures are adjusted higher when ships reappear outside high-risk areas after moving undetected, according to the analysis.

Related Articles

Oil & Energy

US Oil Update: Crude Rises as Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire Amid Hormuz Blockade

Crude oil futures settled higher in after-hours trading on Tuesday after President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, though he maintained a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's ports.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed by 3.20% to $90.22 per barrel, while Brent futures rose 3.90% to $99.14/bbl.Hours before a two-week ceasefire with Iran was set to expire on Wednesday, Trump said in a social media post that he was extending the truce at the request of Pakistani mediators. Iranian officials did not immediately respond to the announcement.Trump said that a ceasefire would stay in effect until the Iranian leadership could come up with a proposal for a permanent resolution.Calling the Iranian government "seriously fractured," Trump said he made the decision at the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan."... we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday.However, the US President said that the US would hold off on fresh attacks on Iran but that a naval blockade of the Hormuz would continue until "discussions are concluded, one way or the other."Dan-Bunkering strategists said in a note on Tuesday that the crude market has been heavily driven by news flow, and this is expected to remain the case in the coming week.Iran has alleged that the US breached its commitments under a 10-point framework that Iran offered at the start of a fragile ceasefire.On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the US blockade of Iranian ports was an "act of war" and thus a violation of the ceasefire."Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire," Araqchi said in a social-media post on X. "Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation."The Department of War, previously the Department of Defense, said on Tuesday that the US forces stopped and boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in its campaign to disrupt Iran's shipping network."US forces have boarded the crude oil tanker Tifani in the Indian Ocean, in what appears to be a further escalation in enforcement against Iran-linked shipping," MarineTraffic said in a social media post on X.Kpler strategists said daily transits via the Strait increased modestly, though activity remains well below normal levels."Commercial movements are still constrained by heightened security risks, including three new attacks over the past four days and persistent uncertainty over sea mine clearance," the analysts said.

Oil & Energy

Hormuz Disruptions Deepen as Oil Prices Rebound and Recovery Timelines Slip, Wood Mackenzie Says

Strait of Hormuz flows remain sharply constrained, with vessel traffic far below normal 170 daily levels and energy markets reacting to ongoing disruption, Wood Mackenzie said Tuesday.Wood Mackenzie said the waterway remains effectively restricted despite ceasefire signals, with uncertainty over safe passage continuing to deter shipping activity.Although the US and Iran are moving toward renewed talks, both sides remain far apart on terms, raising the risk of prolonged disruption to Gulf energy exports.A two-week ceasefire announced on April 7 and a subsequent 10-day pause in Lebanon had briefly lifted optimism around easing tensions, Wood Mackenzie added.However, two Indian vessels were forced to turn back over the weekend after coming under fire while attempting to transit the strait, underscoring ongoing risks.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships against moving in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, saying, "approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered co-operation with the enemy."Traffic had risen modestly after the ceasefire, with about 20 vessels transiting daily, but this remains far below the roughly 170 ships seen in February, according to Wood Mackenzie.That limited recovery has reversed, with minimal vessel movement recorded on Sunday, signaling continued disruption across oil, gas, and chemicals markets.Oil prices initially fell after the ceasefire, with Brent dropping about 14% from around $110 to below $95 per barrel, and later reaching just above $86, according to the report.Prices rebounded, with Brent June futures rising about 5% to around $95 per barrel, while European gas prices climbed to 61.5 euros ($72.21) per megawatt hour before easing to 40 euros.The United States has tightened its blockade, seizing a cargo vessel and increasing pressure on Iran-linked shipping, while both sides exchanged sharper rhetoric over the weekend, Wood Mackenzie said.Tasnim, a media outlet affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, identified several locations that could "enter the conflict zone" if hostilities resume, including the Bab al Mandeb Strait.It also named Saudi Aramco assets and key oil terminals in Yanbu and Fujairah, which serve as alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, Wood Mackenzie added.Wood Mackenzie said a peace deal could allow some tankers to resume movement quickly, but full restoration of normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz may take until the end of June, citing Alan Gelder, senior vice president.Liquefied natural gas exports could see an initial surge after a peace deal, but a full return to normal operations would take longer, Wood Mackenzie said.Massimo Di Odoardo at Wood Mackenzie said restarting Qatar's LNG output could take three to four weeks for the South complex, while recovery of northern facilities would require a longer timeframe.Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have cast doubt on recovery timelines, with prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz threatening deeper imbalances in global energy markets, Wood Mackenzie said.Brent crude has averaged about $85 per barrel in 2026, warning that prices near $90 could push global growth below 2% and into recession territory, said Peter Martin at Wood Mackenzie.

Oil & Energy

Trump Extends Ceasefire on Iran, US Blockade Remains in Force

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has extended the ceasefire with Iran while maintaining a blockade, delaying planned military action as negotiations remain uncertain.Trump said in a Truth Social post, "... upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal."Trump said the US blockade would be maintained, signaling continued pressure, and also indicated that talks remain conditional on Iran presenting a clear negotiating position."I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other," Trump said.The current two-week ceasefire, which started on April 7, is set to expire on Wednesday, with both sides previously expected to participate in a second round of negotiations in Islamabad.However, uncertainty persists, as Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said confirmation from Iran of sending a delegation to the talks is still awaited. Iran's officials have repeatedly said it will not attend the talks.On Tuesday, US Vice President J D Vance's planned visit to Pakistan for renewed negotiations was put on hold, according to multiple media reports.