Misbar Tracks Maritime Traffic Drop and Disruptions in Hormuz After Ceasefire

In the early hours of April 8, 2026, a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect, following its announcement late on April 7.

Despite the agreement, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz showed no improvement on the first day, according to MarineTraffic data. Transit activity dropped sharply compared with the previous two days.

On April 4 and 5, Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV recorded the passage of 21 vessels, including 13 oil and gas tankers and eight container ships. On April 8, only five cargo ships were observed transiting the strait. Two of these, NJ Earth (IMO 9229996) and New Ambition (IMO 9584592), crossed between the two sides of the strait.

The other two cargo ships included DAYTONA BEACH (IMO 9615054), a bulk carrier that had turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) after leaving Bahrain’s Sitra port on February 19 and kept it off until appearing in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on the morning of April 8.

The fourth vessel, Hai Long 1 (IMO 8539631), also a bulk cargo ship, departed Bandar Abbas and likely remained there since late March, as its AIS data showed abnormal movements consistent with interference.

AIS data also recorded the passage of IOLCOS DESTINY (IMO 9486049), the only ship observed transiting outside the Iran-mandated route between Larak and Qeshm islands.

Its route aligned with an Iranian Navy map of “safe passage lanes” through the strait, exiting south of Larak Island.

IOLCOS DESTINY departed the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini in the northern Persian Gulf after offloading its cargo, bound for Santos, Brazil. AIS data indicated it was traveling in ballast, with a draft of 7.5 meters, compared with 13.1 meters at the port.

The only other observed oil tanker was Tour 2 (IMO 9364112), an Iranian tanker that left Bushehr port on April 6 and arrived at Bandar Abbas on the morning of April 8 without crossing the strait.

Misbar's team also recorded the oil tanker AUROURA (IMO 9262912) attempting to transit the strait but turning back, according to AIS data, near the entrance around 6 p.m. UTC.

The movement disruptions coincided with an Iranian Fars News Agency report that Strait of Hormuz traffic was halted following Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Israel intensified strikes across several areas, including Beirut, while claiming Lebanon was not involved, contrary to statements by the Pakistani prime minister.

AIS data also revealed interference affecting several vessels, which appeared to move back and forth near Qeshm Island. Five ships showed abnormal patterns likely caused by AIS disruption during failed attempts to cross the strait:

• Oil tanker Desh Vibhor
• Container ship Franbo Progress
• Oil and chemical tanker MSG
• Heavy cargo ship Tai An Kou
• General cargo ship Glory Tom
• LPG tanker Mab 5

After 39 days of conflict that closed the Strait of Hormuz, hundreds of vessels remained congested in the Persian Gulf. A total of 479 tankers—including 426 oil tankers and 53 natural gas carriers—awaited clearance, in addition to container and cargo ships.

Experts warn that full reopening of the strait could take four to six weeks to clear the backlog and restore normal maritime traffic, which previously saw more than 130 vessels passing daily.

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