Hundreds of commercial tankers have been stranded on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran closed the critical chokepoint on April 18, halting traffic and trapping crews amid reports of gunfire and “traumatic experiences” on board.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway under international law, through which ships can pass, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The British maritime trading operations (UKMTO) said Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker the same day, while a projectile hit a container ship and damaged its cargo.
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The U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that “U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers are among the assets conducting a blockade mission hitting Iranian ports.” (CENTCOM)
Audio released by maritime monitoring group TankerTrackers appears to capture the moment a ship and its crew came under fire as they approached the strait, including a distress call from a crew member.
‘Sepah Navy! Motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me permission to go… you’re shooting now. Let me return!’ the crew member can be heard saying in the recording, thus TankerTrackers.
Iranian state media confirmed that shots were fired near ships to force them to return, while the Indian government’s foreign ministry said the foreign minister was deeply concerned.
“We worked with the entire crisis team from Friday afternoon until today to bring out the ships – unfortunately in vain,” said Nils Haupt, senior director of group communications at Hapag-Lloyd AG.
“These events can easily lead to traumatic experiences. There is also a significant risk from naval mines, which has made insuring ships for passage through the Strait virtually impossible.”
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“The crews are doing well, but they are becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated. It is a great shame that we could not leave today,” he added. “Many ships are still stuck in the Persian Gulf.”
“Our six ships are anchored near Dubai Port and all crews are hoping for an improvement in the situation,” Haupt said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 18 that the strait would remain closed until the US lifts the blockade of Iranian ports and warns ships not to leave anchorage or risk being treated as “enemy” collaborators.
Iran has previously argued that restrictions on its oil exports and shipping amount to “economic warfare,” with actions in the Strait of Hormuz seen as a response to foreign pressure on its economy, according to statements by Iranian officials and state media in previous incidents.
“Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any offending ship will be attacked,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
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Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships in the background sail through the Arabian Gulf towards the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP photo)
The United States imposed the blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait, with the US Central Command saying the measures are being applied “impartially against all ships”.
Hapag-Lloyd said its ships were stuck for weeks after the initial shutdown following the outbreak of war with Iran on February 28.
“For us, it is crucial that our ships can move quickly through the strait,” Haupt said.
“We offer all crew members unlimited data so they can video call loved ones and have access to entertainment. The crews are strong, but after weeks on board the monotony and frustration grows.”
“One crew suffered a fire from bomb fragments on board. Others saw missiles or drones near their ships,” he added.
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“They are resilient, but every additional day makes the situation more difficult, monotonous and stressful.”
President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed not to close the strait again, but after the closure Trump called the situation “blackmail” and said the US would not back down.
