Shipping Firms Await Security Guarantees in U.S.-Iran Deal

Shipowners have expressed cautious optimism toward the tentative agreement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. They are awaiting further security assurances before resuming ship transits.

The preliminary deal to cease hostilities between the United States and Iran seeks to open the Strait of Hormuz swiftly, yet shipping firms require more information on safe navigation before committing to operational changes.

Since late February, following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, the strait’s closure left numerous ships stranded in the Persian Gulf. This halt has obstructed the transport of critical oil and gas supplies to international markets.

“There are a lot of questions that need to be clarified,” remarked S.V. Anchan, chairman of Safesea Group, a shipping enterprise based in Piscataway, N.J. His company has two vessels in the Persian Gulf, one incapacitated due to damage and the other awaiting departure. Anchan emphasized the importance of receiving explicit guarantees from Iran regarding safe passage. “We want to hear from the Iranians that they will not attack us,” he stated.

Similarly, Andreas Enger, the chief executive of Höegh Autoliners in Norway, pointed out that the agreement alone does not suffice for ships to proceed through the strait. He expressed hope that this marks the beginning of a comprehensive process to secure passage. Enger speculated that it might take weeks or even months to gain sufficient confidence in sending ships into the Persian Gulf. “There very well may still be uncertainties and unresolved issues that would drag this out even longer,” he noted.