Ship Traffic Surges in Strait of Hormuz After Reported Iran-U.S. Peace Deal

The Strait of Hormuz saw a significant increase in maritime traffic on Thursday, with 25 commercial vessels transiting the waterway. Data from maritime analytics firm AXSMarine indicates this is the highest daily number of passages since April 18, marking a substantial recovery in shipping activity.

This surge follows a reported peace agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at ending hostilities and restoring navigation on the crucial route. The number of ships passing through on Thursday was more than five times the daily average recorded in the first ten days of June. Prior to the recent conflict, the strait typically saw around 120 ships daily, facilitating about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

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On Thursday, a total of 25 commercial ships passed through the newly opened Strait of Hormuz – the largest number since mid-April.

However, shipping groups have issued warnings, stating that plans for resuming traffic are still unclear and that navigating the strait remains risky. Despite these concerns, an international coordination body is anticipated to be established soon to facilitate transit. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been developing a plan to ensure safe passage for vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the conflict.

According to the IMO, over 500 commercial ships and approximately 11,000 seafarers are still stranded in the Persian Gulf. The conflict has impacted a total of 20,000 seafarers. The recent increase in traffic occurred during a period of significant disruption to AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals in the Persian Gulf, with over 200 commercial vessels experiencing spoofing or unusual behavior.

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Shipping groups have warned that plans for resuming traffic are still unclear and it is considered unsafe to sail from the Persian Gulf through the strait.