Tehran’s ‘toll booth’ system is now controlling Hormuz traffic
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
26 March 2026 Lloyd's List
The limited flow of traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz is now sailing exclusively through an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-controlled corridor requiring specific clearance codes and an Iranian escort service.
Since March 13, a total of 26 vessel transits through the strait have followed a route pre-approved under an IRGC “toll booth” system that requires the ship operators to submit to a vetting scheme.
There have been no transits tracked using Automatic Identification System data via the “normal” route since March 15, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data. There are another 21 instances where Lloyd’s List has been unable to confirm a detour given the lack of AIS data.
According to three separate sources with direct knowledge of the new system, vessel operators are being asked to contact approved intermediaries with IRGC connections prior to moving.
They are then instructed to submit full documentation, including IMO number, ownership chain, cargo manifest, destination and a full crew list.
The intermediaries then forward the package to the IRGC Navy’s Hormozgan Provincial Command for sanctions screening, cargo alignment checks that currently prioritises oil over all other commodities, and for what is described as “geopolitical vetting”.
While not all ships are paying a direct toll at least two vessels have and the payment is settled in yuan.
If the vessel passes the Iranian screening, the IRGC issues a clearance code and route instructions. Upon approach, the vessel will be hailed over VHF radio for verification of the codes, and a pilot boat is despatched to escort the ship through Iranian territorial waters, around Larak Island.
Transit payments
In total 142 vessels have transited since the start of the month, but 67% of that traffic has a direct affiliation with Iran (either through trade or ownership). This figure rises to 90% when looking at traffic in recent days.
Loadings of Iranian crude continue at over 1.5m bpd, according to Vortexa. About 1m bpd is assessed to have transited the strait since March 1, although that number might be higher. At least eight very large gas carriers carrying Iranian liquefied petroleum gas have also transited the strait since March 1.
The remaining trickle of non-Iranian ships is made up primarily of Greece-owned or affiliated vessels (15%) and Chinese (10%).
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