Limited traffic through Hormuz, despite Trump’s announcement

Announcing the peace woody with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said helium had authorised the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade. He aboriginal indicated that ships were already moving on the way adjacent to Oman.

However, vessel-tracking information suggested that postulation done the Strait remained constricted connected Monday (June 15, 2026). While a fewer ships transited the transition during the day, galore vessels remained clustered adjacent Iran’s Qeshm and Larak islands, with smaller concentrations southbound of the Strait and astir Oman’s Shinas port.

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Among the vessels that crossed was Petronet LNG’s Disha, expected to get astatine Dahej connected June 18. Since the struggle began, 15 India-bound ships, including 10 Indian-flagged vessels, person transited the Strait. Another 13 Indian-flagged ships carrying 325 seafarers stay westbound of the waterway.

Maritime quality work Lloyd’s List estimates that astir 600 ships stay stranded westbound of the chokepoint. Last week, Mr. Trump claimed that the U.S. subject had softly assisted astir 200 commercialized vessels done the Strait since May.

Industry stakeholders stay cautious, seeking greater clarity connected transit arrangements earlier resuming mean operations. Shipping companies would similar a instrumentality to the earlier authorities of unrestricted transition done the established postulation separation schemes mostly successful the centre of the Strait.

Capt. Ritesh Kumar, who has transited the strait immoderate 150 times connected a ship, says that successful the past, Strait of Hormuz transition was similar unfastened oversea transition with nary payments to immoderate federation whatsoever oregon adjacent reporting, dissimilar accidental successful Singapore and Malacca straits, wherever reporting is mandatory for information of navigation.

On Monday (June 15), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran did not mean to enforce transit tolls, though maritime work fees for navigation and biology extortion would beryllium charged.

“The statements by the U.S. and Iran stay unclear and bash not supply capable accusation regarding timings and harmless routes,” said Jakob Larsen, Chief Safety and Security Officer astatine Bimco, a shipping manufacture assemblage representing shipowners. He said the information concern remained volatile and shipowners should proceed conducting thorough hazard assessments.

Echoing wider manufacture sentiment, Richard Meade, Editor-in-Chief of Lloyd’s List, noted that insurers — often considered the shipping sector’s astir reliable hazard barometer — stay unconvinced.

In India, however, marine cargo war-risk security costs person eased. K.S. Vishvanath, marine security advisor and author, said rates that had risen to astir 0.20% of the insured worth fell to astir 0.10% aft the authorities announced the Bharat Maritime Pool. While pricing continues to alteration by way and hazard profile, Indian insurers mostly trust connected guidance from GIC Re successful assessing and underwriting warfare risks, helium added.

Meanwhile, authorities officials sought to code concerns regarding fertilizer proviso for Kharif season. Sixteen fertilizer-laden vessels are awaiting transition done the Strait, including 8 urea carriers, 4 DAP ships, 3 sulphur carriers and 1 ammonia vessel. Despite the disruption, astir 40 lakh tonnes of fertilizers person already reached Indian ports from alternate sources, and imports of astir 25 lakh tonnes of urea, DAP and NPK are expected this month. Domestic accumulation was astir 124 lakh tonnes.

(With inputs from Saptaparno Ghosh)