Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained well below normal volumes despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire as Tehran asserted its control by warning ships to keep to its territorial waters while doing so.<\/p>\n
According to ship tracking data from Kpler, just 15 ships had entered or exited the strait since the ceasefire was announced on April 8. Before the U.S. and Israeli campaign began, 138 ships passed through the strait on average.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of tankers \u200cand other ships have been stuck inside the Gulf since the Iran war began on Feb 28, cutting global oil supply by 20% in the world\u2019s biggest-ever supply disruption. The war has also damaged Gulf energy production and boosted oil prices by about 50%, with Asian buyers among the hardest hit.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary \u200bGuard Corps also set forth a special route for vessels to follow, warning them to sail through Iranian waters around Larak Island to avoid the risk of naval mines \u200bin a restricted area encompassing the usual lanes through the strait, Iran\u2019s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Vessels are to enter the strait north of Larak Island and exit just south of it until further notice in coordination with the IRGC\u2019s navy, Tasnim quoted the IRGC as saying.<\/p>\n
Risks persist for ships not authorised by Iran, particularly those affiliated with Israel \u200band the U.S., British maritime security company Ambrey said in an advisory. \u201cEven shipping with apparent approval has been turned back in recent weeks mid-transit,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Media \u200breports have suggested that Iran might want to charge a toll for ships passing through, some pinning the figure at $2 million, and ship-tracking data has shown some vessels are already taking the \u200cunusual route \u2060around Larak Island.<\/p>\n
Western leaders have pushed back on the idea of paying any such fees.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran not to charge tolls on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, as a mounting global \u200benergy crisis prompted Japan on Friday to announce a further emergency oil release.<\/p>\n