Shipping Normalcy In Hormuz Strait May Take 40–50 Days After Deal

Maritime security concerns continue to dominate developments around the Strait of Hormuz, where experts say it may take 40 to 50 days of intensive mine-clearing operations before normal shipping can safely resume, even after a reported US-Iran agreement to reopen the strategic waterway.

According to Western maritime security officials cited in industry assessments, the reopening process would require large-scale mine-hunting efforts using a combination of traditional minesweepers and advanced underwater drones. These operations are expected to be time-consuming, as authorities work to ensure that all potential explosive threats in the waterway are identified and neutralized before commercial traffic returns to normal levels.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handles around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Even brief disruptions in the region have significant impacts on global energy markets, making its security a priority for shipping companies, insurers, and governments alike. Experts warn that uncertainty alone is enough to delay the resumption of regular maritime traffic.

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Maritime officials and security analysts have cautioned that the threat of naval mines remains a key concern. Industry voices, including BIMCO’s chief safety and security officer Jakob Larsen, have emphasized that shipping lanes cannot be considered safe until verified mine-free corridors are established. Reports also indicate that war risk insurers and oil companies are unlikely to approve transit without strong security guarantees.

Tensions in the region have previously raised fears of disruption to global energy supplies, with estimates suggesting that any prolonged closure of the Strait could tighten already low inventory levels in major consuming economies. The strategic importance of the waterway means that even partial threats can influence oil prices and global shipping decisions.

While diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran have led to a preliminary agreement aimed at reducing tensions, maritime experts say operational realities on the ground—or rather, under the sea—will determine when stability returns. Shipping firms continue to monitor the situation closely, with caution expected to persist until comprehensive clearance operations are completed.

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