Week ending 28 June 2026
The UN-backed plan to evacuate trapped vessels from the Persian Gulf has been suspended following a projectile strike on a commercial vessel during the initial transit window. Prior to the freeze, around 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers were successfully evacuated. The dispute centres on routing: Iran insists all traffic use its designated northern corridor, rejecting the IMO's proposed southern route along the Omani coast.
Wood Mackenzie's tracking confirms that some vessels continue to transit independently. LNG voyage data shows 15+ MEG-origin vessels currently in circulation, including Qatari and Omani cargoes heading to Japan, China, and Brazil, with at least one actively loading at Ras Laffan. On the refined products side, data records ~40 vessel movements at Fujairah and Sohar in June alone, dominated by naphtha, marine fuels, and diesel, consistent with continued STS-based commerce outside formal evacuation channels.
Despite the official pause, the commercial incentive to exit remains acute. Preliminary numbers suggest that the total fleet still awaiting clearance significantly exceeds the 115 vessels already evacuated. VesselTracker analysts continue to monitor crossing activity, STS events, and convoy formation signals as negotiations between Iran, Oman, and the IMO resume.
For real-time vessel tracking and maritime commodity intelligence, connect with Wood Mackenzie's VesselTracker.
