Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked on Thursday, even as a handful of Chinese vessels lined up to escape, with a very fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran yet to improve traffic flows in the region.
Just seven ships, all with some kind of prior link to Iran, were observed making the voyage out of the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. Normal transits in both directions are almost 135 a day.
In a sign of Tehran's efforts to formalise control over the waterway, Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization published two safe routes for shipping, according to state media. It said the routes were necessary to avoid various anti-ship mines in the usual sailing routes through the narrow strait.
Also Read: Iran announces alternative routes in Hormuz strait
While Iran-linked vessels headed through the waterway, three Chinese oil tankers, fully-laden with Saudi and Iraqi crude, sailed towards Hormuz on Thursday before dropping anchor near the approach to the waterway that handles about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.
'Not Open'
While flows remain all but halted, the market is still acutely short of supply and despite a drop in futures prices, real world barrels continue to be scarce. US Vice President JD Vance said there were signs that Hormuz is starting to reopen but the boss of the UAE's largest oil producer said Thursdday it remains effectively shut.
"Let's be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is not open," Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive office of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., said in comments on LinkedIn. "Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled."
While Iran's deputy foreign minister told the UK's ITV news agency that "any" vessel is free to navigate, he said that doing so required communication with Iran's military.
He also confirmed the waterway was mined.
Also Read: West Asia War: Iran's Supreme Leader signals ‘new phase’ in Hormuz strategy, vows retaliation but says Iran not seeking war
On Wednesday, the crew on one vessel reported hearing a warning from Iran that navigation through the strait still requires permission from the Islamic Republic, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
At least one oil tanker halted a plan to cross after it became clear that Iran was still insisting that vessels seek permission, a different source said.
Even if ships do begin to make their way out of Hormuz, it's unclear if others will be willing to enter given the ceasefire only lasts for two weeks.
It will also take anything from weeks to months for the oil to reach buyers once flows through the waterway resume on a regular basis.
Just seven ships, all with some kind of prior link to Iran, were observed making the voyage out of the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. Normal transits in both directions are almost 135 a day.
In a sign of Tehran's efforts to formalise control over the waterway, Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization published two safe routes for shipping, according to state media. It said the routes were necessary to avoid various anti-ship mines in the usual sailing routes through the narrow strait.
Also Read: Iran announces alternative routes in Hormuz strait
While Iran-linked vessels headed through the waterway, three Chinese oil tankers, fully-laden with Saudi and Iraqi crude, sailed towards Hormuz on Thursday before dropping anchor near the approach to the waterway that handles about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.
'Not Open'
While flows remain all but halted, the market is still acutely short of supply and despite a drop in futures prices, real world barrels continue to be scarce. US Vice President JD Vance said there were signs that Hormuz is starting to reopen but the boss of the UAE's largest oil producer said Thursdday it remains effectively shut.
"Let's be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is not open," Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive office of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., said in comments on LinkedIn. "Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled."
While Iran's deputy foreign minister told the UK's ITV news agency that "any" vessel is free to navigate, he said that doing so required communication with Iran's military.
He also confirmed the waterway was mined.
Also Read: West Asia War: Iran's Supreme Leader signals ‘new phase’ in Hormuz strategy, vows retaliation but says Iran not seeking war
On Wednesday, the crew on one vessel reported hearing a warning from Iran that navigation through the strait still requires permission from the Islamic Republic, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
At least one oil tanker halted a plan to cross after it became clear that Iran was still insisting that vessels seek permission, a different source said.
Even if ships do begin to make their way out of Hormuz, it's unclear if others will be willing to enter given the ceasefire only lasts for two weeks.
It will also take anything from weeks to months for the oil to reach buyers once flows through the waterway resume on a regular basis.
