Uncertainty prompts shipping industry to seek answers on Hormuz route

While cautiously welcoming Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open, shipping companies said they need further details, particularly on potential mine risks, before sending vessels through the Gulf’s main gateway.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, announced in a social media post on 17 April, that in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

US president Donald Trump reportedly welcomed the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open and ready for full passage. 

However, Trump later said the US blockage of Iranian ports would continue in full force until the transaction with Iran is completed. 

Then it was reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had again closed the strait, citing the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, said: “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage using the IMO established traffic separation scheme.”

International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos said while the announcement is encouraging, significant uncertainty remains about what it will mean in practice.

“This development offers a cautious measure of reassurance to the global maritime community and, most importantly, to the seafarers who have been placed in harm’s way and confined on board their vessels for more than seven weeks,” he said. 

“While this announcement is a positive step there is still much uncertainty around what it means in practice. Regardless it is essential that it marks the beginning of a broader and more durable return, beyond the current ceasefire, to freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

“An orderly and sustained return to normal transit through the Strait will be essential. This will require close coordination between the International Maritime Organization, regional states, naval authorities, and the shipping industry to ensure that vessels can transit safely.

“Above all, it is imperative that full freedom of navigation is respected by all parties in accordance with international law.”

In an urgent safety message, Jakob Larsen, Chief Safety and Security Officer of BIMCO, said the announcement by US President Trump that Hormuz is fully open was “inaccurate”.

“100 % credible reports indicate that status of mine threat in the Traffic Separation Scheme is not fully understood, and that shipping should consider avoidance of the area. In other words the TSS is NOT declared safe for transit,” he said in a social media post. 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 20 April, 2026