An attack on a Singapore-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz has prompted some shipping companies to rethink their sailing plans. While traffic in both directions continued on Friday, conflicting US and Iranian interests over free navigation through this vital global waterway are raising the risk of chaos – not only in the Persian Gulf.
The slow unblocking of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, following a temporary peace deal between the United States and Iran, suffered a setback on Thursday. A container vessel called Ever Lovely was hit by a projectile of unknown origin off the coast of Oman, damaging its bridge. The captain reported no casualties or environmental damage, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared on the same day that ships must use only Iranian-designated routes and warned against alternative corridors announced by other authorities. The IRGC threatened action against vessels that do not comply.
Armators pull back as safety guarantees questioned
According to Bloomberg sources, Thursday’s attack – the first since the US-Iran interim peace deal – led some shipowners and captains to withdraw from the strait. At least one Asia-based firm revised earlier departure plans and told employees that vessels in the Gulf should remain in place while management reassesses transit options.
However, the attack does not appear to have completely derailed the slow return to normality. Data from Vortex shows the average daily number of tanker crossings rose to over 20 after the temporary deal, compared with just six daily for most of the Iran war. On Friday morning, several tankers and an LNG carrier were observed attempting transit via the Omani corridor.
US warns against tolls as Oman sends mixed signals
The management of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this week that Iran must keep the strait toll-free if it wants a lasting peace agreement. – If Iran introduces fees for passage through the strait, nothing will stop other governments from doing the same with other maritime chokepoints, and then chaos awaits us – Rubio said during a visit to Gulf states.
The US is pressing Oman, which also borders the strait, not to create a joint toll-collection system with Iran. Oman initially issued a joint statement with Tehran saying both sides would discuss traffic management and related costs. But on Thursday, Rubio said Oman assured him it does not support tolls. – They signed onto a statement that there will be no fees – Rubio added, referring to a joint US-Gulf Cooperation Council declaration rejecting any attempts to control the strait.
The situation remains fragile. While shipping is slowly resuming, the attack and the IRGC’s threats have injected new uncertainty. The outcome of the US-Iran negotiations on the strait’s future status could set a precedent for other narrow maritime passages worldwide, potentially reshaping global trade routes.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Farzad Abdollahi / Shutterstock
