Four Vessels Cross Strait of Hormuz Into the Gulf After Being Stranded For Weeks

Before the official announcement reopening the Strait of Hormuz, several vessels stranded for weeks had already begun testing passage in the early hours of April 17, in a development that preceded the political statement and indicated that maritime traffic had effectively resumed hours before Iran’s formal declaration.

At approximately 13:00 GMT on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the passage of all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was now “fully open” for the remainder of the truce period. He added that transit would proceed along coordinated routes previously designated by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization.

In this context, Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV tracked the movement of several vessels through the strait starting in the early hours of Friday, April 17 (GMT), before the official Iranian announcement. Tracking data shows that at least three vessels crossed prior to the declaration, indicating that the resumption of traffic had already begun operationally after weeks during which ships remained stranded in the Gulf of Oman and near the strait.

Tania Star

The liquefied natural gas tanker Tania Star, sailing under the Benin flag (IMO 913416), crossed the Strait of Hormuz at 01:53 GMT on April 17, heading toward Sharjah. The vessel had departed India on March 12 and arrived in the Gulf of Oman on March 27, where it remained stranded until transit. The ship is linked to Ocean Inc. in the Marshall Islands and is technically managed by Meghar Marine Solutions FZE in Sharjah.

Kaiser (KAISER)

The bulk carrier Kaiser (IMO 9299472), sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, crossed the strait in the early hours of April 17, appearing on transit routes at 03:41 GMT before continuing toward Umm Qasr, Iraq. The vessel departed India on February 22 and reached the Gulf of Oman on February 27, 2026. It remained stranded there after a previous attempt to cross on March 12 ended with a turnaround before entering the strait.

GYMM

The LNG tanker GYMM (IMO 9139696), sailing under the Cameroonian flag, appeared on transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz at 09:56 GMT on April 17. It had arrived in the Gulf of Oman on April 9 and remained stranded until crossing, after which it continued toward Sharjah.

Kaya

The bulk carrier Kaya (IMO 9238325), sailing under the Barbados flag, crossed the strait after reaching its vicinity on March 27, 2026, where it remained stranded until appearing on transit routes at 15:37 GMT on April 17. It subsequently continued toward Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The reopening of the strait did not signal a full return to unrestricted navigation but rather a conditional arrangement under the truce. Iran, through Foreign Minister Araghchi, announced that passage would be permitted along pre-coordinated routes, while a senior Iranian official indicated that transit remains subject to coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the continued opening of the strait and spoke of a potential agreement with Tehran. However, he maintained the U.S. maritime blockade on Iranian ports, underscoring that the apparent de-escalation remains constrained by ongoing security and political conditions.

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