So-called ghost ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz – despite US blockades. (symbol image)Image: keystone
May 28, 2026, 2:31 p.mMay 28, 2026, 2:31 p.m
Despite the ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, many tankers continue to manage to pass through the strategically and economically important strait. These are primarily ships from the so-called Iranian shadow fleet.
The Mirror evaluated ship data in the Gulf region from February 25 to May 6, 2026. The analyzes show that numerous tankers manipulate their position signals, temporarily switch off completely or sail under changing names and flags. The aim of the ghost fleet is specifically to transport sanctioned Iranian oil and gas to China.
The tanker “Niba,” for example, sent identical position data off Dubai for days. However, according to “Spiegel”, satellite images showed no ship there. Nine days later, the same tanker reappeared under a new name (“Banian”) and a different flag (Angola instead of Palau) – heading for a port in China.
Other ships also disappear from the tracking systems during their passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Some of them only appear again weeks later, for example near transshipment points off Malaysia or China.
Ships use these tricks in the Strait of Hormuz
Ships use the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to transmit their identity and position. Its use is actually mandatory in international shipping, but ship crews can also switch off the system. Crews can also easily manipulate a ship’s position, name, flag or MMSI, the international number.
The AIS is also used to control traffic, especially in densely trafficked regions such as the Strait of Hormuz. For this reason and because non-use is actually illegal, the ghost ships do not constantly conceal their identity.
Overall, according to “Spiegel”, dozens of ships with conspicuous movement patterns were registered during the period evaluated, and the number of unreported cases is likely to be even higher. Many of them are already on international sanctions lists. The US measures aimed at blocking the Strait of Hormuz appear to be having only a limited effect.
The “Spiegel” assumes that Washington is tracking the activities of the tankers, but is avoiding direct intervention because attacks on loaded oil tankers entail incalculable environmental risks. It is also conceivable that the USA would tolerate the transits in view of the high energy prices and the associated domestic political pressure in order to stabilize the tense energy markets.
Apparently other actors also use similar methods, as the “Spiegel” analysis shows: During the period analyzed, tankers commissioned by the United Arab Emirates temporarily disappeared from the tracking systems while they were passing through the region. (hkl)