After Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz, Ships Begin to Move Cautiously

Key Points:

• Shipowners and operators are cautiously preparing for increased maritime traffic out of the Persian Gulf after being stranded for over three months, with at least 25 ships, including 14 tankers, passing through the Strait of Hormuz recently.
• A preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran initiated a 60-day negotiation period, during which Iran promised to reopen the strait and the U.S. lifted its blockade on Iranian ships, signaling potential easing of tensions.
• Despite these developments, challenges remain, including navigating around naval mines, unclear transit protocols, and operational issues caused by prolonged inactivity such as barnacle growth on ship hulls.
• Security concerns persist, with experts warning that significant risks still exist for vessels transiting the area, compounded by GPS interference and recent regional conflicts affecting stability.
• Approximately 500 commercial vessels remain stranded in the gulf, and full resumption of normal shipping traffic depends on resolving navigational, security, and diplomatic uncertainties.