While some Supertankers flee under the cover of night, 20,000 seafarers remain trapped in the perilous Strait of Hormuz

The Greek Courier

Tensions rise as sailing through the Strait of Hormuz has become a "risky business" amid the ongoing blockade. Meanwhile, concerns have mounted over the vessels and their crew trapped in the Strait. 

May 17, 2026

Maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. As of May 18, 2026, just a few significant vessel movements highlight the precarious situation at this vital maritime choke point.

The Malta-flagged supertanker Agios Fanourios I has recently resumed its journey toward Vietnam, carrying a cargo of Iraqi crude oil. After being held by the U.S. Navy for five days in the Gulf of Oman, it left the Strait of Hormuz on May 10, only to redirect back on May 11 before finally heading towards Vietnam again on May 16. It is expected to arrive at the Nghi Son refinery by May 30, 2026. The U.S. military’s Central Command cited enforcement of a blockade against Iran as the reason for redirecting the vessel, underscoring the heightened military presence in the region.

In parallel, a Greek-operated tanker, the Liberia-flagged Karolos, also crossed through the Strait on May 14, destined for the Indian port of Sikka. Kpler analysis confirms that the vessel was filled to maximum capacity after calling at the Basra oil terminal on May 10. This movement marks one of the few crude sailings through the Strait since the escalation of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has severely restricted maritime traffic.

Before the onset of hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz accounted for approximately 20% of global energy supplies, with 125 to 140 daily ship passages. However, recent statistics show diminished traffic through the strait, with only nine vessels crossing into the Gulf of Oman within a 24-hour period, primarily small cargo or dry bulk ships bound for Iran.

Concerns are mounting for the safety of vessels and crews trapped in the strait. The International Transport Workers’ Federation has reported that over 20,000 seafarers face dire conditions, cut off from families and running low on essential supplies like food, water, and fuel. The Marshall Islands shipping registry has echoed these worries, stating that threat levels for merchant vessels in the region are at their highest.

U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his frustrations regarding Iran, emphasizing the urgency of reopening the Strait. Meanwhile, the Iranian state media reported that the number of ships crossing the strait is set to accelerate, despite the growing risks involved.

The situation remains fluid and perilous as shipping routes through this key waterway become increasingly fraught with danger, highlighting the critical need for de-escalation in the region.

Iran's state TV said on Friday that 30 ships crossed the strait on Thursday in both directions and that number was "set to accelerate".

U.S. President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was running out and that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed during their talks in Beijing that Tehran must reopen the strait.

Concerns have mounted over the vessels and their crew trapped in the strait. The Marshall Islands shipping registry, among the world's biggest flag states, said this week that threat levels for merchant vessels remained at their highest levels in the region.

"More than 20,000 seafarers remain trapped inside the Strait of Hormuz, facing fear and uncertainty, cut off from their families, and in many cases running short of food, water and fuel," leading maritime union, the International Transport Workers' Federation said separately this week.

(Reuters)