Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a virtual standstill following the announcement of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, with only a handful of vessels transiting the waterway in the first 24 hours after the deal. According to MarineTraffic and Kpler, just five bulk carriers passed through the strait, while S&P Global Market Intelligence reported nine vessels crossing on Wednesday and Thursday. These figures are significantly lower than the prewar average of more than 100 vessels daily, highlighting the ongoing disruption despite the ceasefire [1]. The exact number of ships is uncertain, as some vessels have turned off or spoofed their GPS trackers during transit [1].
Oil prices responded sharply to the situation, rising above $100 a barrel on Thursday as initial optimism about the truce faded and uncertainty persisted regarding the reopening of the strait [1]. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, previously accounting for the passage of 20% of the world's oil and natural gas. During the conflict, Iran attacked several vessels and threatened to target any ships it deemed connected to the U.S. or Israel, effectively blocking the waterway [1].
Industry experts, including Jakob Larsen of BIMCO, noted that ships currently trapped in the Persian Gulf are eager to leave but are awaiting technical details from both the U.S. and Iran on how to transit safely [1]. Iran has insisted that vessels must secure its permission to transit and has suggested it may impose a fee for passage. The Iranian navy released a map indicating possible mining of the strait and designated new shipping lanes, which are closer to Iran’s mainland than routes used before the war. A large portion of the strait, including Oman’s territorial waters, is marked as “hazardous” [1].
Tehran’s statements about restricted access contrast with American officials’ earlier claims that the strait had reopened. Frustration is evident among Gulf economies, which rely heavily on the waterway for energy exports. Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive, emphasized the need for clarity, stating, “the Strait of Hormuz is not open. Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled” [1].
CONCLUSION
Despite the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted, causing oil prices to surge above $100 a barrel. The ongoing uncertainty and conflicting statements from Iran and the U.S. have left the global energy market on edge, with Gulf economies and industry stakeholders demanding clarity and safe passage.