Some of the world’s largest shipping organizations said on June 18 that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will only return to normal levels after mines are cleared and traditional routes are restored, while calling for greater clarity on transit rules and coordination between authorities to allow safe passage.
Iran has warned of the dangers of mines when passing through traffic separation system roads, while agreeing to remove mines from the strait within 30 days in the initial peace agreement with the United States, signed by the leaders of the two countries on June 17.
Clearing TSS routes of all mine threats “must be a priority,” Intertanko said in a statement, and all governments involved must communicate clearly with the shipping industry upon completion.
“Some ships will of course start moving,” said Tim Wilkins, managing director of Intertanco, which represents 191 companies that own and operate 4,152 tankers with a total capacity of 380 million tons. “But ship owners have adopted a very cautious approach.”
“The safety and security of the sailors was first and foremost on their minds,” says Wilkins.
S&P Global Commodities at Sea data showed that 25 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on June 17, including three VLCCs, three product tankers and one small tanker.
The total number of crossings was the highest in a single month, but still well below levels seen before the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28. On average, 135 ships per day, including 46-47 oil tankers, used the Hormuz waterway – which handles 20% of global oil and LNG trade – in February.
“Once safe passage through the strait is confirmed, ships already in the Arabian Gulf can begin to re-establish trade,” said Nils Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at BIMCO, the world’s largest shipowners’ organization by direct membership in various sectors. “This includes more than 100 loaded tankers as well as nearly 100 ballast tankers that can start loading new cargo.
“Within two months, freight services could return to pre-war levels. However, cargo volumes may take longer to recover due to damage sustained during the war, which could delay the recovery.”
Secretary-General of the Shipping and Related Services Association, Masoud Bulma, told the state-run Students News Agency that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the supervision of the Iranian Armed Forces, and ships must pass after coordination with the relevant authorities.
Directions
Currently, Iran has allowed some ships to sail through Hormuz via the Iranian coast, while the US Navy has advised ships to sail close to the Omani coast in dark transit periods.
“The central part of the strait is mined and unnavigable, and only the coastal traffic areas near Oman and Iran are said to be mine-free,” said Jacob Larsen, chief safety officer at BIMCO, while warning of congestion and navigational risks on Iranian and Omani routes.
Based on Intertanko estimates, existing methods may need to be used before TSS are cleared of mines, but their capacity is ineffective.
“If 550 ships are aiming to leave, and potentially 60 ships a day are looking to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the current routes are inadequate to handle this,” Intertanko said.
The two organizations said a coordination system should be established to ensure safe crossing before normal traffic resumes.
“BIMCO expects to establish an international coordination body soon to facilitate crossings,” Larsen said, adding that issues related to safe routes, traffic separation procedures, and maritime protection, among others, remain unresolved.
“To avoid the serious risks associated with uncoordinated mass transfer through narrow onshore traffic areas, we encourage shipowners to consider waiting for further clarifications,” he added.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement that the UN agency is working with coastal states and industrial groups to evacuate sailors on board ships stranded in the Arabian Gulf.
“The process must be safe, organized and coordinated to avoid congestion, accidents and collisions,” Dominguez added. “We are also gathering the necessary security guarantees – to ensure that all crossings will be free of any risks, including potential mines.”
source: Platts
