Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz showed signs of noticeable increase on Thursday, as just hours after US President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran, at least 10 commercial vessels transited the strategic waterway this morning, while another six ships appeared to be headed toward the route to exit the Persian Gulf.
One of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz serves as the only maritime gateway between the Persian Gulf and international markets and accounts for roughly 20% of the total global energy flows.
While far lower than the pre-war traffic of 135 ships per day, it nonetheless marks a significant increase, showcasing a strong recovery in maritime traffic in the vital waterway.
Among the vessels making the crossing the strait was the French-flagged liquefied natural gas carrier Mraikh, operated by QatarEnergy, as well as a vehicle carrier owned by Grimaldi Group, months after completing cargo deliveries at Gulf ports.
Both vessels were among hundreds stranded in the Persian Gulf after the conflict disrupted normal maritime traffic.
Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying a combined six million barrels of crude oil also passed through the strait on Thursday.
Despite the increase in movement, shipping companies remain cautious that a return to normal traffic levels will take time, due to lingering concerns over maritime security, navigation procedures and the clearance of naval mines deployed during the conflict.
Several cargo ships and oil tankers owned by Chinese and Hong Kong-based companies continued broadcasting that they had Chinese crew members on board, a measure adopted earlier in the war after Iran warned it would target any vessels linked to the US and Israel, including those of their allies.
Meanwhile, several sanctioned Iranian tankers that crossed the former US blockade line earlier this week remained on course to Iranian ports.
