Hundreds of ships wait outside Gulf for full opening of Hormuz Strait

More than 400 large ships are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz as operators wait for a fuller reopening of the key waterway, according to reporting published on June 22. Satellite data cited in the report showed 441 tanker-sized vessels in the area, underscoring how far traffic remains from normal.

The vessel buildup is concentrated mainly off Sohar and Fujairah on the eastern side of the strait. The figures suggest that even as some ships have started moving through again, many operators are still holding back until they have clearer security and transit conditions.

A partial reopening

The Financial Times reported that some vessels have recently transited the strait, including four Qatari LNG tankers and the MSC Qingdao container ship. That indicates the route is open in at least limited form.

But the broader picture is one of caution. Shipping companies, tanker owners and insurers appear to be waiting for a stable set of rules before committing more vessels to the route.

Fee and insurance questions

One reason for the hesitation is Iran's reported proposal to impose tolls or require mandatory Iranian insurance for ships after a 60-day grace period. The reporting did not make clear whether those measures have been formally adopted or remain proposals.

The distinction matters for shipowners because new fee or insurance requirements can alter voyage costs and coverage decisions even if the strait is physically passable.

For many operators, the immediate question is not only whether they can sail through Hormuz, but whether they can do so on terms their insurers and commercial contracts will support.

Diplomatic backdrop

The shipping situation is unfolding alongside tense US-Iran talks in Switzerland. Reporting on June 21 and June 22 said the negotiations remained fragile but continued, with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan helping keep them alive.

Those talks were linked to efforts to reduce incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and to create a direct communication channel for maritime or regional flashpoints. A broader de-confliction mechanism was also discussed.

The Guardian said the talks produced a 60-day roadmap and a communication line intended to lower the risk of escalation. That diplomatic track matters because even a partial easing at sea can be reversed quickly if the wider confrontation deteriorates.

What to watch next

The key near-term question is whether more tankers and LNG carriers begin transiting normally in the next few days, or whether the queue remains in place while operators wait for firmer guarantees.

Another question is whether Iran formally issues any toll or insurance rules, and whether shipping insurers update route guidance in response.

For now, the evidence points to a partial easing rather than a clean reopening. The Strait of Hormuz remains under close watch because small changes in transit rules can move global energy and cargo flows.

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