At least 150 oil and LNG tankers have dropped anchor in open Gulf waters outside the Strait of Hormuz, with dozens more stationary on the opposite side of the chokepoint, according to vessel-tracking data from MarineTraffic and Kpler. The unprecedented congestion follows a sharp escalation in regional hostilities and direct threats to shipping transiting the strategic waterway.
Clusters of crude, refined product and LNG carriers are now positioned off the coasts of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, more than 100 tankers are reported anchored along the UAE and Omani coasts near established waiting areas. Separate data show dozens of bulkers and container vessels also holding position.
Roughly 20% of global oil supply transits the Strait of Hormuz daily – including exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran – alongside the bulk of Qatar’s LNG shipments. Any sustained disruption to flows through the narrow channel has immediate implications for global energy markets, freight rates and marine insurance.
Traffic at the entrance to the strait has slowed dramatically, with vessel queues building on both approaches. The situation has also begun affecting adjacent maritime corridors.
According to Kpler, the effective slowdown in transits reflects precautionary decisions by shipowners rather than a universally enforced blockade. While a small number of Iranian and Chinese-flagged vessels reportedly continued transiting, most international operators have adopted a wait-and-see posture.
Shipping sources indicate that several tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have temporarily suspended crude, fuel and LNG liftings via Hormuz pending clearer security guidance.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that at least four commercial ships have been targeted across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman since the start of US attacks on Saturday. The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center said no formal, internationally recognized closure of the strait had been communicated, but warned mariners to expect increased naval presence, possible VHF challenges, congestion at anchorages and volatility in insurance markets.
Maritime security firms report heightened alert levels across fleets operating in the region. Analysts note that while naval escorts could mitigate risks, sustained instability would likely keep tonnage idled and freight markets volatile.
