War in the Middle East: Why cargo ships and oil tankers may not be able to cross easily

The United States and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire on the night of Tuesday, April 7, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nearly blocked since the start of the war on February 28, under the control of the Iranian army. A few hours after this announcement, the first ships started crossing the strait. “For two weeks, it will be possible to cross the Strait of Hormuz safely in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” said Abbas Araghtchi, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs. But some ship owners are hesitant to risk using this sea route where normally 20% of global oil consumption passes through. Franceinfo provides an update.

Because there may be mines on the usual route

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard navy announced on Thursday, April 9, that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must take two alternative routes close to the Iranian coasts, citing the possibility of “mines” on the usual path further offshore. “To protect against potential collisions with mines, in coordination with the Revolutionary Guards navy (…), until further notice, [ships] must take alternative routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” detailed the Mehr news agency, quoting a military statement accompanied by a maritime plan showing routes south and north of Larak Island.

The plan indicates that entry for ships from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman passes between the Iranian coast and Larak Island, dubbed the “gateway to Tehran” by Lloyd’s List. The exit route from the Persian Gulf passes south of this island, avoiding the usual route closer to the Omani coast. Recent crossings appear to have taken this alternative route within Iranian territorial waters.

Because the ceasefire remains fragile after deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon

The ceasefire between Iran and the United States remains fragile after simultaneous Israeli strikes on Lebanon, particularly in residential areas of Beirut, which resulted in 182 deaths and 890 injuries, according to a preliminary report from the Lebanese Ministry of Health on Wednesday night. Following these attacks, Lebanon observes a day of mourning after the worst strikes the country has seen since the start of the war. According to the international community, these attacks risk undermining the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington, which is now in its second day. These “violations undermine the spirit of the peace process,” affirmed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, the mediator in this Middle East conflict, who insists that the ceasefire applies “everywhere, including in Lebanon.” This was later contested by Tel Aviv and Washington.

These Israeli strikes pose a “serious danger to the ceasefire and efforts towards a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region,” stated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres late on Wednesday, through a statement from his spokesperson.

The pro-Iranian Hezbollah said it launched rockets at Israel on Thursday in response to its “violation of the ceasefire.” Claiming to have “respected the ceasefire while the enemy did not,” the Lebanese movement “targeted the Manara area [just across the border with Israel] with a barrage of rockets,” confirmed a Hezbollah statement, which had not claimed attacks against Israel for twenty-four hours after the ceasefire was announced.

Because the crossing remains uncertain according to ship owners

A cautious reopening. Three ships, including one Greek and another flying the Liberian flag, were able to cross the strait on Wednesday, while over 800 vessels are immobilized in the Gulf, reports AFP. However, some maritime transport actors have decided not to venture there yet. Tankers received a radio message on Wednesday warning that they would be targeted by strikes if they entered this sea route without permission, according to the Financial Times.

According to Lloyd’s List, ship crossings are subject to checks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard navy. Cargo ships must submit a passage request by providing information such as the nature of their cargo, the names of their owners and charterers, and the crew list, to obtain an access code. Ships authorized to cross the strait are required to pay a fee of two million dollars, according to Le Monde.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian strongly emphasized on France Inter on Thursday that establishing a toll scheme in the strait would be “unacceptable,” stating that it would go against international law. “This is not acceptable because freedom of navigation in international waters is a common good, a common good of humanity that must not be impeded by any obstacle or right of passage,” he declared, as US President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday the creation of a joint company to manage navigation in this strait with payment.