Shipping Picks Up in the Strait of Hormuz After U.S.-Iran Deal

Since the United States and Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, 25 oil tankers and other vessels have passed through, including about 20 oil tankers, according to the trade intelligence firm Kpler. Even so, traffic remains below prewar levels, when more than 100 ships, including dozens of tankers, crossed the strait each day.

Kpler, whose real-time tracking of cargo, vessels and commodity markets is widely used by traders, analysts and shipping companies, said the figures were reported by CNBC. The increase came after the U.S. Navy ended its blockade of Iran, while Tehran pledged to let ships pass through the strait for 60 days without paying fees.

U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance told reporters on Thursday that, for now, the Iranians are “doing their part of the commitment.” Matt Smith, Kpler’s head of commodities research, said traffic was “quite balanced,” with 13 crossings west to east and 12 east to west.

Among the vessels were three Saudi tankers and one from the United Arab Emirates, Kpler said. The large ships, known as VLCCs, can carry up to 2 million barrels of oil. Iranian VLCCs also resumed transmitting their signals after switching them off during the war, and five loaded Iranian VLCCs were seen leaving the area on Friday. Kpler said the two-way flow suggests Iranian crude trade is gradually returning to more normal patterns. A key unanswered question is what happens after the 60-day period and whether Iran will continue allowing ships to pass without a fee. Under the agreement, Iran is expected to hold talks with Oman and Gulf states on managing the strait, leaving open the possibility of future tolls.