What changed with the PGSA Non-Compliant List this week?

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) added 113 vessels to its Non-Compliance List, expanding it by 47% from 126 to 239 vessels. The PGSA has previously stated that designated vessels will face restrictions on future ‘unauthorised’ Strait of Hormuz (SOH) passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation, and that “any vessel cooperating with listed vessels (via STS, transhipment, etc…) will be added to the list.”

Which vessel types were most affected?

Crude oil tankers dominate the list and now account for 49% of all designated vessels. Product tankers also saw a notable number of new designations. Other categories (LPG, LNG, bulk carriers, unitised vessels, and tug/support) remain relatively small.

Who owns the newly designated vessels?

Gulf State-linked fleets account for 31% of all designated vessels. Sinokor-owned vessels account for 17%. The expansion therefore directly affects the main exporters’ fleets and a major carrier of recent SOH volumes.

Does being on the list mean a vessel is about to be attacked?

No. Analysis of targeting events since the list was established on 23 August shows that only 13% of vessels involved were designated before being targeted. 51% were added after the attack, and 36% were never designated at all. The list functions more as a retrospective record than as a reliable advance warning. Targeting remains primarily driven by ‘unauthorised’ SOH transits.

How is it that some ships have been removed from the list?

It is understood that vessels can request removal. To do so they must submit a formal application with justifications to compliance@pgsa.ir . Ambrey has observed vessels removed from the Non-Compliance List. However, this is far less common than additions. Removal typically signals that the vessel has met or negotiated compliance with the PGSA or that the PGSA are issuing a correction. Exact criteria for any individual vessel are not fully transparent beyond PGSA’s general statements. Ambrey advises companies to check with their legal teams before engaging at all with the PGSA.

Strait of Hormuz Vessel Blacklist Expands to 239

Key Takeaway

“Ambrey assesses that the Iranians are attempting to increase the perceived commercial risk associated with the PGSA Non-Compliance List by introducing a significant expansion, while the practical risk of attack remains tied to Strait of Hormuz transit activity”.

Two Iranian military officials in uniform raise their clasped hands in a display of unity, with Iranian flags and portraits behind them

Executive Summary

Iran Expands Strait of Hormuz Vessel Blacklist to 239 Ships

This week Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) added 113 vessels to its Non-Compliance List, expanding it by 47% from 126 to 239 vessels.
The PGSA has warned that designated vessels face restrictions on future ‘unauthorised’ Strait of Hormuz (SOH) passages, including fines, detention, or confiscation, and that “any vessel cooperating with listed vessels (via STS, transhipment, etc…) will be added to the list.”
The expansion is concentrated on crude oil tankers, which now account for almost 50% of all designated vessels. Gulf State-linked fleets represent a third of the list and Sinokor-owned vessels nearly a fifth. By targeting the principal exporters’ fleets, Iran is increasing the perceived commercial risk to Gulf oil flows.
There is not a direct relationship between Iranian attacks and being on the list. Over one-third of the vessels attacked since 23 August, when the PGSA started ‘designating’ ‘non-compliant’ shipping, have not been designated. Over half have been designated after attacks, and fewer than 15% were designated before they were attacked. 
The latest expansion does not alter the assessed target profile. While the enlarged list heightens pressure on the shipping industry, the practical risk of attack remains tied to SOH transit activity. Of all the new vessels designated this week, all were assessed to have conducted an ‘unauthorised’ transit of the SOH following the 1^st of March 2026.

Strait of Hormuz Maritime Security Risk Map – Ambrey Analytics

Event

PGSA Vessel Designations: Tanker Exposure, Fleet Ownership and War Risk Insurance

This week, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has designated 113 new vessels on its Non-Compliance List, increasing the total by 47% from 126 to 239 vessels. The PGSA has stated that designated vessels shall face restrictions on future ‘unauthorised’ passages of the Strait of Hormuz (SOH), including fines, detention, or confiscation, and that “any vessel cooperating with listed vessels (via STS, transhipment, etc…) will be added to the list.” However, there is limited evidence that vessels have been designated ‘non-compliant’ for having performed a cargo transfer with a ‘non-compliant’ vessel without conducting an ‘unauthorised’ SOH transit themselves, though this may be retrospectively applied. 

MARINE INSURANCE – mIDDLE EAST

Solutions

Company

Iran Expands Strait of Hormuz Non-Compliance List to 239 Vessels: Implications for Maritime Security and Marine Insurance

Iran Expands Strait of Hormuz Vessel Blacklist to 239 Ships

PGSA Vessel Designations: Tanker Exposure, Fleet Ownership and War Risk Insurance

Stay informed with the GOC

Keep up to date with Ambrey news