Traffic starts trickling through Strait of Hormuz: Who's moving through and who's still stranded or diverting

Core Viewpoint - Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led to significant disruptions in global oil supply, with shipping traffic drastically reduced since the onset of the conflict on February 28, 2026 [1][2]. Shipping Traffic and Operations - Only 21 tankers have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began, compared to over 100 ships daily prior to the war [2]. - A backlog of approximately 400 vessels is reported in the Gulf of Oman, with many ships waiting near the chokepoint [3]. - Some vessels are attempting to navigate alternative routes or ports due to the blockade [2][22]. Country-Specific Developments - China: Iran has not targeted vessels linked to China, with many Chinese-owned ships successfully navigating the strait under an informal access filter [5]. China continues to import millions of barrels of crude oil from Iran [6]. - Greece: Greek shipowners have begun testing the route, with vessels like the Shenlong successfully transiting the strait carrying Saudi crude oil [11]. - India: Direct talks between India and Iran have yielded results, allowing Indian vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas to transit the strait [13][14]. - Pakistan and Turkey: A Pakistan-flagged tanker has successfully transited the strait, indicating that some shipments may be receiving negotiated safe passage [15]. Turkish authorities confirmed that one Turkish-owned vessel was allowed to transit after visiting an Iranian port [16]. Attacks and Security Concerns - The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to global energy flow due to sporadic attacks on vessels, which appear random and lack a clear targeting pattern [17][20]. - At least 16 vessels have been struck in various locations, including near the UAE and Iraq, with many affected vessels linked to Western or Gulf-state connections [18][19]. - The unpredictable nature of these attacks complicates planning for shipping companies [20]. Rerouting and Alternative Strategies - Following the conflict's onset, 43 out of 81 container vessels originally bound for ports along the Strait of Hormuz have rerouted to other Gulf ports [22]. - Cargoes are being redirected to ports outside the strait, such as Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the UAE, and Sohar in Oman, with subsequent transportation by truck to their final destinations [23].