Shipping through Strait of Hormuz still blocked by mine-clearing delays

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has restarted in limited form, but the waterway has not returned to normal. Reports say vessels are again moving through the region, while the main channel remains blocked as mine clearance continues.

AP reported that ships have begun transiting the strait after an interim U.S.-Iran agreement eased the confrontation, but the central route is still closed. The Guardian, citing industry group Intertanko, said normal shipping will not resume until the mines are cleared.

Limited reopening

The reopening so far is partial. AP said major shipowners including Grimaldi Group, Cosco, Knutsen and NYK have resumed passage through the strait. Even so, the principal corridor remains unavailable because roughly 80 naval mines still need to be removed, according to industry sources cited in the reporting.

Instead of the main channel, vessels are using alternate northern and southern routes through Iranian and Omani waters. Those lanes can take some traffic, but AP said they have limited capacity compared with the strait’s primary route.

How the disruption unfolded

The current situation follows the recent interim agreement that reduced the immediate military risk in the area, but did not eliminate maritime hazards. The reopening has therefore been phased rather than immediate or complete.

AP said roughly 550 merchant ships are still preparing to exit or remain tied up in the Persian Gulf. The Guardian put the number of vessels still anchored at about 600 and said GPS jamming and rerouting remain part of the operating environment.

AP also said full reopening of the central corridor could take weeks or months. The Financial Times reported separately that the accord provides for mine clearance over a 60-day period, while the shipping industry is watching for any new charges or governance changes once the reopening process advances.

Why the strait matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important chokepoints for oil and gas transport. Any delay in restoring normal traffic has implications not only for shipowners and tanker operators, but also for energy markets that depend on steady flows through the waterway.

The stakes are practical as well as financial. Delays raise insurance concerns, force route changes, and keep vessels exposed to operational risk while the main channel remains unsettled.

What happens next

The key question is how quickly mine clearance can proceed and whether the limited reopening can expand into normal traffic. So far, the reporting points to a gradual transition, not a full return to business as usual.

Watch for official clearance updates, additional vessel movements back toward the main corridor, and any timetable from authorities or industry groups. Also watch for new restrictions, fees or legal claims tied to the route, which could complicate the reopening even if the mines are removed.

For now, the Strait of Hormuz is moving again, but it is still not fully open.