Iran Expands Strait of Hormuz Blacklist to 77 Vessels, Adding KOTC, Bahri and ONEX Ships

## Iran Expands Strait of Hormuz Blacklist to 77 Vessels Iran has expanded its blacklist of vessels barred from transiting the Strait of Hormuz to 77 ships, according to Seatrade Maritime, marking a significant escalation in the country's use of maritime access restrictions as a geopolitical instrument. The latest additions to the list include vessels associated with Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), Saudi Arabia's Bahri, and ONEX — operators whose fleets play a substantial role in regional crude and product tanker movements. Notably, the blacklist now also includes a crude tanker that was sunk by US forces in the preceding week, underscoring the increasingly volatile security environment in and around the Persian Gulf. ### Strategic Significance The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with approximately 20% of global oil trade passing through its narrow waters. Any restriction on vessel transit carries immediate implications for energy markets, freight rates, and the operational planning of tanker owners and charterers worldwide. The expansion of the blacklist to 77 ships signals a broadening of Iran's targeting criteria beyond vessels with direct US or Israeli affiliations, now encompassing tonnage linked to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state-owned energy companies. This development is likely to heighten concern among shipowners, P&I clubs, and war risk underwriters operating in the region. ### Industry Implications For tanker operators and charterers, the growing blacklist introduces additional layers of compliance complexity. Vessels appearing on the list face the risk of detention, seizure, or denial of passage — consequences that could disrupt cargo delivery schedules and trigger force majeure clauses in charter agreements. War risk insurance premiums for Gulf voyages have already been under upward pressure in recent months amid broader regional tensions. The inclusion of prominent national carrier tonnage from KOTC and Bahri is expected to prompt urgent reviews of voyage risk assessments across the sector. Shipowners and operators with vessels trading in the Arabian Gulf are advised to consult with their flag states, P&I clubs, and legal counsel to assess exposure and ensure compliance with applicable sanctions and navigational advisories. *Source: Seatrade Maritime*