Handful of Ships Pass Through Strait of Hormuz Before US Blockade

Two large oil tankers owned by Chinese state-owned Cosco passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.

A ship off the coast of Sharjah, the day after the failure of US-Iran peace talks, on April 13, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

Four ships, including two large oil tankers owned by China, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, before the United States Navy’s blockade came into effect at 10 a.m. ET on April 13.

Cospearl Lake and Yuan Hua Hu, both operated by China Cosco Shipping Corp., headed toward the Indian Ocean, according to vessel-tracking data used by Lloyd’s List Intelligence.