Shipowners Await Details of Hormuz Agreement as 600 Vessels Prepare to Depart

Shipowners and traders are closely monitoring developments regarding the agreement announced by the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days. They seek more details to assess the possibility of safe passage after months of unsuccessful attempts. Approximately 600 vessels remain stranded in the Arabian Gulf, ready to depart, while hundreds of empty ships await on the opposite side, according to Bloomberg.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas transportation, has been a central point of conflict since hostilities began. Resuming navigation through the strait has been a key focus in peace negotiations.

Security risks in the strait have compelled oil tankers to rely on ship-to-ship transfers, dark transit routes, and alternative paths to maintain shipment flows.

Iran’s control over the strait, combined with the US blockade, has caused unprecedented disruption in global energy trade. This situation effectively cut supplies from some of the world’s largest producers and forced even major players to resort to illegal transit operations.

Nonetheless, the temporary solution announced by the US and Iran, alongside US President Donald Trump’s statement that the strait would reopen on Friday upon signing the agreement, has raised questions within the maritime sector about the practical implications.

Transit activity has sharply declined from pre-war levels, and with limited information available so far, navigation through the strait showed little activity in the early hours of Monday as news spread. The only exception was the liquefied natural gas tanker "Disha," which was testing waters en route to the Strait of Hormuz.

While this reopening could theoretically allow millions of barrels of oil to flow, practical challenges remain. These include minor issues such as the need to remove barnacles from ship hulls and competition for passage through the narrow channel.

The exact number of observed vessels may change as more ships that have turned off their transponders are added to the count.

The security situation remains unclear, especially since similar arrangements in previous months ended with Iranian forces firing on or detaining vessels. Concerns about naval mines in the strait continue to overshadow navigation, increasing the importance of selecting safe routes and securing adequate insurance coverage.

Brett Erickson, managing director at Obsidian Risk Advisors, stated that security "is a top priority for all shipowners seeking to understand the situation on the ground."

He added, "The maritime sector, as well as leaders and crews, understand this. They know that a single miscalculation, a single strike, or one political decision could reignite tensions and endanger their lives again."

Moyo Sho, chief crude oil analyst at Kepler, said, "The most risk-tolerant shipowners will be the first to move. We might see a rush of vessels exiting as soon as Iran opens its gates, although it remains unclear whether Tehran will impose any inspection procedures."

Some oil producers have gradually found alternative solutions to send tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, sometimes with US support. However, transit volumes remain low compared to pre-war levels, when an average of 135 tankers passed daily.

US Vice President J.D. Vance described the agreement with Iran as "an important moment for the United States," while noting that "there is still work to be done."

Loaded ships are expected to prepare for departure first, while empty vessels currently in the Gulf may begin loading their cargoes in the coming days.

Currently, more than 300 empty ships are waiting in the Gulf of Oman. Many of these can cross the Strait of Hormuz to enter the Arabian Gulf once access is restored.

Data from Kepler, a data analysis company, indicates that oil tankers constitute the majority of vessels currently stranded in the Arabian Gulf, reflecting the high value of their oil cargoes, which have drawn significant attention during the conflict.

Approximately 98 crude oil tankers remain stuck inside the port, while the number of product tankers carrying petroleum pollutants stands at 88.