Shipping Traffic in Strait of Hormuz Reopens Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire
Shipping activity has reportedly resumed in the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran’s assurance to reopen the strait without tolls or ransoms under a newly agreed ceasefire with the United States. This announcement was made by Iran’s Persian Gulf Straits Authority (PGSA), which has been responsible for traffic control in the area since the war began.
Shortly after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the first significant merchant vessel, the Saw, entered the previously vacant lanes of the strait. That all took place within hours of the agreement being finalized.
According to ship tracking company Kpler, three Saudi Arabian very large crude carriers carrying a total of 6 million barrels of oil were among the first ships to transit the strait after the MOU. One ship headed to Japan, another to South Korea, while the destination of the third remains unknown.
Matt Smith, director of commodity research at Kpler, remarked, “The floodgates haven’t opened and we haven’t had a mass spill yet,” highlighting that many shipping companies are still wary of relying on Iran’s promises of safe passage.
The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), based in Bahrain, has downgraded the danger level of the Strait of Hormuz from “severe” to “moderate.” However, it cautioned that attacks on ships are still “strongly likely,” and the threat of Iranian mines continues to pose risks to navigation.
In what may signal a cautious optimism, the UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced on Thursday that customers can once again resume oil loading from its ports located inside the Strait of Hormuz.
Furthermore, the PGSA issued a “directive” stating that vessels wishing to navigate the strait must submit a “transit request” via an official website and email, ideally 48 hours prior to their intended crossing. This measure is designed to streamline the process and prevent delays.
Ships are advised to coordinate their routes and transit times with the Iranian authorities to facilitate safe navigation and avoid collisions. The PGSA’s statement also indicated that Iran will not collect any tolls or ransoms over the next two months, as stipulated in the MOU, but suggested that there may be some “fees” imposed after that period.
