The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, remains blocked with approximately 80 mines, preventing normal shipping from resuming. According to the independent tanker owner trade body, Intertanko, the centre of the strait will remain closed for 'some time,' with vessels risking running aground by taking the Omani route.
Several vessels began to exit the Gulf through the key maritime chokepoint on Thursday, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. However, shipping is not expected to return to normal for some time, even if the ceasefire lasts, due to the mines and other obstacles.
Phil Belcher, marine director at Intertanko, stated that the main route through the middle of the Strait of Hormuz is closed and dangerous. The latest figure is that there are 80 mines in the strait, which will take some time to clear.
During the conflict, Tehran laid mines in the centre of the strait in the traffic separation scheme to restrict the movement of tankers and other vessels. Approximately 20,000 seafarers were left stuck either side of the channel, although some ships managed to sneak through at night near the Omani coast with their transmitters off and with US assistance.
The shipping industry is keen to see a return to using the standard route, which before the conflict allowed about 130 ships a day to safely cross the strait. With high numbers of vessels trying to pass through narrow areas of the strait, the shipping industry is warning of the risk of collision, intensified by the 'signal jamming' that Iran has reportedly carried out during the conflict.