TOKYO – Web Desk: The full restoration of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz could take several weeks despite the recent agreement between the United States and Iran, according to a senior shipping executive.
The head of Japan’s major shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has warned that ship owners are not ready to immediately resume voyages through this vital waterway. CEO Jotaro Tamura told the Financial Times that the announcement of the agreement alone will not be enough — tangible changes on the ground must also be visible.
Tamura stated that shipping companies need assurances that the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz has genuinely improved and that vessels will not face any military or security risks. Shipping lines will only resume using the route with confidence once the practical outcomes of the agreement between the relevant countries become clear.
He emphasized that the agreement needs to be seen as being implemented practically, not just on paper, so that ship owners and insurance companies can feel safe. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, through which large quantities of oil and gas are transported globally. Several shipping companies had restricted vessel movements due to recent tensions and hostilities between the US and Iran.
