Two Greek-owned ships were among the first that transited the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to reopen the strategic waterway under a ceasefire agreement with the United States.
According to MarineTraffic data, the Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the strait at 08:44 UTC, following the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach. The latter, owned by Athens-based Volusia Shipping SA, passed through at 06:59 UTC shortly after departing from the port of Bandar Abbas.
“The transit of the NJ Earth may offer an initial sign of normalization, but it is too early to determine if this represents a broader reopening linked to the ceasefire or a previously granted authorization,” explained Ana Subasic, an analyst at Kpler (the parent company of MarineTraffic).
The vessel maintained an active transponder and followed a route near Larak Island—a passage the Lloyd’s List shipping journal has dubbed “Tehran’s Toll.” Subasic added that while an increase in traffic is expected in the coming days, “this initial transit should be viewed with caution.”
Hundreds of ships are stranded
According to Lloyd’s List, over 800 ships are currently stranded in the Gulf, though shipowners and charterers indicated today that preparations are underway to resume sailing. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had plummeted by 95% following the start of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran.
Typically, approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply passes through this vital link between the Gulf and global shipping lanes.
Related: Does the War in Iran Boost US Oil Giants?
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