A senior executive at Japan-based Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said it could take weeks for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to return to normal. The company argued that ships will not resume their routes until there are concrete signs that passage is safe.
Executive Jotaro Tamura noted that the agreement being shaped between Washington and Tehran alone would not be sufficient; it must be reflected in the actual conditions in the strait. Tamura indicated that due to recent developments, it could take at least several weeks or even a month.
Navigation in the Strait Under Pressure for Months
The company's assessment came after the Iran war that began on February 28 and the subsequent US-Israel attacks. During this period, maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz largely came to a halt.
The Strait of Hormuz is seen as a critical transit point for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply. The transport of products like aluminum and urea along the same route is also affected.
Company Maintains Cautious Stance
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines stands out as one of Japan's three largest shipping companies. Its fleet includes more than 900 vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers, and ferries.
Tamura's assessment remained unchanged even after reports that an agreement between the US and Iran was nearing completion. The executive emphasized that ship operators will only resume passage once they are convinced of real safety conditions.
Trump Says Oil-Loaded Ships Have Started Moving
US President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account, said that oil-loaded ships have begun exiting the strait and are moving along the southern route. Trump described this route as completely safe, secure, and clear.
However, the shipping company's assessment indicates that normal flow in the strait will not immediately return. For passage to regain momentum, not only a political agreement but also a trustworthy environment on the ground is expected.
