1,550 Ships Stranded As Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed; Supertankers Losing Up To $150K Per Day

Hundreds of commercial vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed as the war in Iran continues. The disruption has slowed one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors and left global freight markets adjusting to sustained delays.

Traffic through the waterway has dropped sharply since late February, with only a fraction of normal daily vessel movement continuing, according to AP News. Shipping lanes in the region have become congested, with vessels forced to anchor or remain in port for extended periods.

Maritime safety data cited in the report indicates that 10 seafarers have been killed since the escalation began, while 32 ships have come under attack. The U.S. military estimates that about 1,550 vessels are currently stranded in or near the Persian Gulf, affecting roughly 22,500 mariners, many of them from South and Southeast Asia.

The financial impact is being reflected through global shipping market indicators tracked by maritime analytics firms such as Clarksons Research and BIMCO, alongside freight derivatives pricing in commodity markets. These benchmarks reflect vessel earnings and demurrage charges applied when ships are delayed beyond scheduled transit or loading windows.

Based on industry shipping market data:

• Small tankers: $8,000–$15,000 per day
• Medium tankers: $15,000–$30,000 per day
• Large crude carriers: $30,000–$60,000+ per day
• Supertankers (VLCC class): up to $80,000–$150,000 per day

These figures reflect time-charter equivalent earnings and demurrage benchmarks used in maritime finance and global shipping markets, representing the cost of lost vessel productivity during delays and idle time. Exposure can rise further depending on insurance premiums, rerouting, and congestion at alternative ports.

IBT has previously reported that analysts warned the conflict could lead to prolonged disruption to Strait of Hormuz operations, with some assessments suggesting Iran may be able to maintain pressure on the waterway for months under current conditions.

Before the current disruption, between 100 and 130 vessels would typically pass through the strait each day, including oil tankers and cargo ships, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Since the escalation began, only 534 ships are believed to have transited the waterway through early May, compared with an estimated 6,500 to 8,450 that would normally have passed during the same period.

The economic fallout has extended beyond shipping. The report notes that average U.S. gasoline prices have risen by about 50% since the start of the conflict, with prices reaching roughly $4.56 per gallon. Jet fuel costs have also nearly doubled over the same period, adding further pressure to global transport and logistics sectors.

Insurance costs for vessels operating in the region have surged as well, with rates rising from around 1% of cargo value to as much as 10%, according to shipping industry estimates cited in the report. Analysts say the sharp increase reflects heightened risk exposure for commercial fleets navigating the region, Reuters reported.

The AP impact report also highlights broader humanitarian and security implications, including warnings from the U.N. World Food Program that up to 45 million people, primarily in Asia and Africa, could face food insecurity if disruptions persist.