KATHMANDU: Commercial vessels that had been stranded for weeks in the Persian Gulf have begun moving out after the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was reopened for commercial shipping amid tensions between Iran and the United States.
According to maritime monitoring sources, several ships carrying the flags of Angola, Panama and Vietnam have crossed the strait in the past few hours.
However, reports by Al Jazeera indicate that many vessels remain cautious about navigating the area. With the United States declaring a naval blockade near the Gulf of Oman, it is still unclear whether ships leaving the strait will be able to freely enter the Arabian Sea.
Most vessels are currently using designated routes set by Iran’s military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Commercial shipping companies are following these specific corridors due to fears that sea mines could still be present in parts of the waterway.
Iran has reportedly banned the movement of military vessels through the area.
Although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the waterway has been reopened, confidence has not fully returned within the global shipping industry.
Many oil tankers and cargo ships that have been stranded at sea for weeks remain hesitant to resume their routes, with shipping companies still concerned about safety risks.
According to Al Jazeera, nearly a dozen vessels attempted to approach the strait on Friday but turned back midway due to uncertainty over safe passage and fears of potential attacks.
Meanwhile, a cruise ship has crossed the strait for the first time since the conflict began. The Maltese-flagged vessel Celestial Discovery had been stranded in Dubai for 47 days. The ship, currently without passengers, is expected to briefly stop at a port in Muscat before continuing to its next destination.
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