Overview
- Iran’s new Persian Gulf Strait Authority published a blacklist of 45 vessels on Monday, saying listed ships face fines, detention and cargo confiscation for alleged transit violations.
- The blacklist spans VLCCs, LNG and LPG carriers, and product tankers and says any vessel that conducts ship‑to‑ship transfers with a named ship may also be added.
- Named operators include Gulf state-linked firms such as Bahri and ADNOC Logistics & Services plus international managers like Navig8, Klaveness, Stolt and Sinokor.
- Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plunged, with AIS and commercial data showing crossings roughly 90% below pre‑war levels and only single‑digit commodity transits on recent days.
- The move comes as U.S. officials prepare new economic measures, creating a cycle of reciprocal pressure that could raise freight and insurance costs and further tighten regional energy flows.