IRAN: Two ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after Iran agreed to reopen the key waterway as part of its new ceasefire agreement with the United States. The development is being seen as the first sign that shipping traffic could begin returning to normal after weeks of disruption in the Gulf.
According to maritime tracking company MarineTraffic, the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait of Hormuz at 08:44 UTC. Earlier, the Liberia-flagged vessel Daytona Beach passed through the strait at 06:59 UTC after leaving Iran’s Bandar Abbas port.
The reopening comes after the United States and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement overnight. Under the deal, Iran agreed to allow ships to travel through the Strait of Hormuz with coordination from Iranian armed forces.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that passage through the strait would now be possible during the ceasefire period. The agreement follows growing international concern over the closure of the waterway after Iran restricted access in response to US and Israeli attacks.
MarineTraffic analyst Ana Subasic said the crossing of NJ Earth may be an early sign that the Strait of Hormuz is reopening. However, she warned that it is still too soon to know whether the move represents a full return to normal shipping operations.
The NJ Earth reportedly travelled through an Iranian-approved route near Larak Island, which has been used by most ships during the recent tensions in the Gulf.
Shipping industry reports suggest that nearly 800 vessels remain stranded in the Gulf because of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Lloyd’s List, several shipowners and charter companies are now preparing to move their vessels if the ceasefire remains in place.
Kpler data shows that only 307 cargo ship crossings took place between March 1 and April 7, marking a 95 percent decline compared to normal traffic levels.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Nearly 20 percent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through the waterway, making its reopening critical for world energy markets.
