The Strait of Hormuz continues to ease: Not only Oman and France, but Japanese and Turkish ships are passing through smoothly.
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Since more than a month has passed since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war, there are clear signs of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz easing.
According to CCTV News, Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines revealed that a liquefied petroleum gas carrier operated by its affiliated company passed through the Strait of Hormuz before April 4, Japan time. It is reported that this is the second Japanese-related vessel to leave the Gulf since the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a previous article by Wallstreetcn, a French container vessel, the CMA CGM Kribi, exited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, becoming the first known vessel associated with Western Europe to successfully pass through since the war began. Prior to this, three Omani vessels successfully passed through the Strait via the "southern route".
Turkey has also sent a clearer signal of a "resumption of passage". According to CCTV News, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that a second Turkish vessel recently passed through the strait successfully.
Uraloğlu revealed that since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, a total of 15 vessels owned by Turkish shipowners have been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. The first ship received Iranian permission to pass in mid-March, and in recent days, the second vessel also completed passage.
These voyages indicate that the scope of passage through Hormuz is expanding from Iran-friendly countries to broader international shipping. However, it remains unclear whether this is the result of government-level diplomatic negotiations or temporary arrangements brokered by corporations and intermediaries. The overall situation remains uncertain.
The "Iranian Passage Mechanism" Emerges: Permits, Routes, and "Tolls"
It is still unclear whether the resumption of passage is due to diplomatic efforts by governments or the temporary arrangements reached by corporations and intermediaries. Multiple parties have remained silent on key details.
According to The Paper, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun charging “tolls” for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and is prioritizing the passage of ships identified as belonging to "friendly nations", while ships seen as part of hostile camps may face threats or even attacks.
A spokesperson for Mitsui O.S.K. declined to comment on whether the Sohar had paid transit fees.
There is also a divergence in routes. Most ships have been observed taking a path close to the Iranian coast, but in recent days, another route—along the Omani coast—has emerged.
Reports say the aforementioned LNG vessel and two very large crude carriers all used this "southern route". Three vessels broadcasting Omani registry—two supertankers and one LNG vessel—sailed along the Omani coastline via the southern channel east through the strait, described as "the largest single-day crude outflow since the Iran war began," and notably as "the first LNG ship attempting to exit."
On a procedural level, as previously mentioned by Wallstreetcn, Iran is drafting an agreement with Oman that aims to monitor navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Vessel navigation through the strait would be conducted under the joint supervision and coordination of Iran and Oman.
According to Xinhua News citing UAE media, UAE Minister of State Khalifa stated on Thursday that the UAE is willing to participate in any measures to ensure the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
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