The first substantial de-escalation of the crisis that paralyzed for months the navigation in the Persian Gulf is recorded after the US and Iran agreement to lift military restrictions in the region. Large tankers, tankers and transport ships LNG who had been trapped since February are now beginning to re-cross the Straits of Hormuz, although the maritime community still treats the return to normality.
Mobility is already evident in various sectors of shipping. Vehicle transport vessels; crude oil tankers and petroleum products and transport ships liquefied natural gas (LNG carriers) are among the first to leave the area after months of waiting.
Despite the first departures, a significant number of ships are still within the Persian Gulf. According to market estimates, more than 160 tankers remain in the area, while hundreds more dry cargo ships await their turn for safe passage From the Straits of Hormuz.
Market data show that traffic has begun to increase significantly. The crossings from the Straits present a clear rise over previous weeks, which reflects the careful return of shipowners to the commercial activities of the region. However, the number of ships expected to move in the next period remains particularly high, creating concerns about traffic management in a sea pass with limited service capabilities.
The representatives of the maritime industry continue to observe cautious attitude. Although they welcome the agreement as a positive step towards the restoration of security, they point out that specific guarantees are needed before the ship owners' trust is fully restored. The main issue remains the demining designated navigation corridors in the Straits of Ormuz, and the issuing of clear instructions by the competent authorities for the safe passage of ships. The maritime community calls also for assurances that merchant ships will not be targeted at attacks or interventions during their travels.
At the same time, insurance institutions stress that return to normality requires the full operation of port and maritime services in the area. Issues such as navigation, the boat illustration in ports, fuel refuelling and provision of rescue services and emergency support are still critical factors for smoothing Restart transport.
In the dry cargo market, dozens of ships carrying raw materials and industrial products are also preparing to leave Persian Gulf. It is estimated that approximately 200 Bulk Carriers They will need to pass through the Straits in the near future, further increasing pressure on available sea routes.
On the other hand, large container-lined companies continue to move more carefully. So far no massive re-starting of transits by container vessels has been recorded, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding safety conditions in the area.
Although the US-Iran agreement marks an important step towards deescalating the crisis, the complete restoration of maritime activity in the Persian Gulf is expected to take time. The following weeks will be decisive to show whether the restart of the passages will evolve into a permanent return to normality or whether shipping will continue to operate under the weight of increased geopolitical risks in one of the world's most important energy and commercial arteries.