The blacklist and its scope
On 24 August 2026 Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) released a list of 45 vessels it deems “non‑compliant” with Iranian transit arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz. The roster spans very large crude carriers, LNG and LPG tankers as well as clean product ships. Among those named are vessels owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s logistics arm (ADNOC L&S), its subsidiary Navig8 Tankers, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Bahri, the United Arab Emirates’ AD Ports Group, Qatar’s Nakilat, Klaveness Ship Management, Stolt Tankers and South Korea’s Sinokor, as reported by The Maritime Executive.
Penalties and procedural requirements
The PGSA warned that any ship on the list may face fines, detention and confiscation of cargo. Marine Insight noted that vessels cooperating with listed ships – for example through ship‑to‑ship (STS) transfers or transshipment – will be automatically added to the blacklist. The authority also instructed cargo owners to verify the non‑compliant list before chartering, and said removal is possible only after submitting a formal request explaining the circumstances.
In addition to punitive measures, Iran has outlined fees for “authorised” vessels transiting the strait. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Commission, referenced Article 3 of the “Strategic Action to Ensure the Security and Progress of the Strait of Hormuz” plan, which would allow charges for navigation assistance, environmental support, refuelling, insurance and safety services – payable in rials or another accepted currency, pending parliamentary approval.
Geopolitical backdrop
The blacklist was issued days after the United States threatened what Tehran described as “the toughest sanctions in history”. Baird Maritime recorded Iran’s response that any new US threats would provoke a “devastating” reaction. The move marks an escalation of Iranian pressure on maritime traffic six months into the ongoing conflict, which has already disrupted roughly one‑fifth of global seaborne oil and gas flows through Hormuz.
Industry reaction
Seatrade Maritime News highlighted that at least 14 of the vessels now listed have previously been targeted in attacks, underscoring the heightened risk environment. Marine Link confirmed the announcement came via an X post by the PGSA, stating that the named ships could be fined, detained and have cargoes confiscated.
What this means for operators
Ship owners and charterers must immediately cross‑check their fleet against Iran’s non‑compliant list before scheduling Hormuz transits. Any planned STS operation with a listed vessel could trigger inclusion on the blacklist, exposing the ship to detention, fines or cargo seizure. Operators should also prepare documentation for possible removal requests and evaluate the financial impact of the newly announced transit fees. In practice, many carriers may opt to reroute around the strait until clarity emerges, weighing the cost of longer voyages against the risk of Iranian enforcement.