Key facts
- Around 80 mines are blocking the main shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Normal shipping is not expected to resume for months due to the need for mine clearing.
- Some vessels have begun transiting the strait with assistance and by using alternative, riskier routes.
- Iran has reportedly used signal jamming, impacting ships' navigation systems.
- Iran plans to charge maritime fees for passage, which the shipping industry deems illegal under international law.
Normal shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz remain significantly disrupted due to approximately 80 mines that have been laid in the waterway, according to the independent tanker owner trade body Intertanko.
While some vessels have begun transiting the key maritime chokepoint following a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, full resumption of normal traffic is not expected for some time. Phil Belcher, marine director at Intertanko, stated that the main route through the middle of the strait is closed and dangerous, estimating that clearing the mines will take considerable time.
During the conflict, Iran laid mines in the traffic separation scheme, restricting vessel movement. This has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded. Some ships have managed to navigate the strait near the Omani coast at night with their transmitters off and with US assistance, while others have paid fees to travel through Iranian waters.
The shipping industry is eager to return to the standard route, which previously facilitated about 130 ships daily and handled approximately 20% of global oil. Belcher likened the current situation to using a "hard shoulder" on a highway, emphasizing the need to reopen the main route for safe and efficient traffic.
Further risks include potential collisions due to high vessel numbers in narrow areas, exacerbated by reported signal jamming by Iran that interferes with navigation systems. A collision, grounding, or sinking could further disrupt global trade, recalling the 2021 Ever Given incident in the Suez Canal. Nearly 600 vessels are believed to be anchored in the Gulf, awaiting passage.
Richard Meade, editor-in-chief at Lloyd's List, suggested that shipping in the strait is unlikely to return to normal this year. Additional concerns stem from Iran's plan to charge maritime fees for passage, which is considered illegal under international law. The US-Iran memorandum requires Iran to ensure toll-free passage for commercial vessels for at least 60 days, with full traffic restoration within 30 days. Tehran has indicated it will charge fees to cover waterway management costs after this period.
Hapag-Lloyd has stated that charging tolls for international waters is fundamentally wrong, distinguishing it from infrastructure fees for canals like Suez or Panama. The industry fears this could set a precedent for other critical maritime channels.