The United States is reimposing a naval blockade on vessels moving to and from Iranian ports, according to Ship & Bunker. The measure takes effect at 4 PM ET on Tuesday, following orders from President Donald Trump.
According to Ship & Bunker, US Central Command (CENTCOM) will enforce restrictions against ships transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas, while vessels not violating the blockade will be permitted to continue operating in regional waters. CENTCOM confirmed the move in a social media post cited by Ship & Bunker.
A Blockade With History
This is not the first time the blockade has been enforced. Ship & Bunker reports that a similar operation was in place from April 13 to June 18, before being lifted after the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework to end hostilities.
However, renewed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have reignited the conflict between the two nations, prompting Washington to reinstate the blockade, Ship & Bunker states.
Previous Enforcement Figures
During the earlier blockade period, CENTCOM said it redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships, and allowed over 50 humanitarian aid vessels to pass through, according to Ship & Bunker.
CENTCOM has advised all mariners to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and to contact US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches, Ship & Bunker reports.
Does This Matter to You?
Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz or calling at Iranian ports face renewed operational restrictions, with CENTCOM actively enforcing compliance through redirection and, as seen previously, disabling of non-compliant ships. This directly affects voyage planning, routing decisions, and communication protocols for vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman and surrounding approaches.
The renewed blockade follows recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region, adding a further layer of risk to an already sensitive transit corridor. Given that the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy and cargo flows, any disruption or enforcement action in the area can influence vessel scheduling, insurance considerations, and route risk assessments.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
