Jun 17, 2026
Security officials stated on June 15 that shipping firms continue to encounter substantial hazards when navigating the Strait of Hormuz, even after the revelation of an impending peace accord between the US and Iran. They cautioned that restoring typical vessel movements might require several weeks.
After over two months of talks, Iran and the US have consented to finalize a preliminary pact on June 19. This arrangement could halt maritime assaults near the critical passage—which under normal conditions manages 20% of worldwide oil and LNG commerce—for a 60-day span.
Jakob Larsen, the chief safety and security officer at BIMCO, the largest shipowner association globally by direct membership, remarked that the declarations from both the US and Iran remain ambiguous and lack adequate details about crucial elements like schedules and secure pathways. Due to insufficient specifics and a pattern of excessively hopeful promises, we judge the security environment for the shipping sector to stay unstable, and we still deem it extremely hazardous for vessels to start crossings at this moment, Larsen added.
The announcement of the peace agreement followed a report by the UK Maritime Trade Operations that a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile six nautical miles east of Oman on June 12. The vessel proceeded on its journey with no injuries reported.
Since the Middle Eastern conflict began on February 28, the UN International Maritime Organization had logged 46 maritime security incidents by June 11, which caused the deaths of 14 seafarers.
Security advisory firm Vanguard Tech observed that the accord has not yet been officially signed, essential specifics remain undisclosed, and multiple matters, including Iran’s nuclear activities, are still open to further discussions. The firm stated that mine-clearing operations, transit protocols, and the broader normalization of sea traffic could take weeks rather than days, and that the security landscape is progressing toward a controlled reopening rather than an immediate assured return to unrestricted commercial passage.
Statistics from S&P Global Commodities at Sea indicated that ship crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have dropped by 90% during the conflict. The shipping disruption has driven up energy costs and freight charges, with numerous analysts cautioning about possible oil demand reduction if the dispute remains unresolved.
As of 1620 GMT on June 15, Commodities at Sea data showed that six general cargo vessels, one LNG carrier, one bitumen transporter, and no additional oil tankers traversed the Strait of Hormuz. In February, prior to the start of the Iran war, roughly 135 ships daily, including 46 to 47 oil tankers, utilized the waterway.
Iran has permitted a limited number of vessels to navigate the Strait of Hormuz along the Iranian coastline under a fee-based system, while cautioning about mine hazards for crossings using the IMO-established Traffic Separation Scheme, which was commonly employed before the conflict. The US has been recommending that ships travel near the Omani shore in dark transits without paying any fee.
Thomas Kazakos, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping, declared in a statement that as the industry hopefully progresses toward peace, there must be a lasting restoration of vessels’ ability to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without hindrance and without paying a toll or any other clearance mechanism.
An informed source told Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency that, during the upcoming 60-day truce, transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be free of charge, and Iran intends to provide safety, shipping, environmental, and insurance services to generate some revenue for domestic economic development.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated during a press briefing that Iran will design and collect fees for navigation services, environmental protection, and ship insurance provided by Iran and Oman, rather than imposing a direct toll.
During a brief press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron before the G7 Summit, US President Donald Trump said on June 15 that the agreement does not permit Iran to levy tolls on passing vessels.
BIMCO’s Larsen suggested that the UN should ideally oversee the resumption of maritime traffic as a neutral entity, clarifying issues such as safe routes, traffic separation measures, and vessel security protocols.
According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 20,000 seafarers are marooned on 500 ships within the Persian Gulf. Commodities at Sea data indicated that 140 oil tankers are located in the Gulf, though the actual figure could be significantly higher when vessels not broadcasting location data are considered.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez remarked that the US-Iran peace deal represents a significant step toward reestablishing safety in this crucial maritime corridor for seafarers and ships, and will enable the UN agency to progress with its plan to evacuate seafarers. Dominguez added that its execution will require time to guarantee that all necessary safety and security assurances are in place.