Shipping is glad but cautious about Hormuz reopening and US-Iran peace deal

June 20 ------ The United States and Iran announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end their months-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The framework agreement, while leaving key issues unresolved, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, marks the most significant progress toward ending a conflict that has killed thousands and disrupted global trade since joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

International support for agreement

According to Reuters, oil markets responded positively to the announcement, with Brent crude futures falling 4% in early trading as investors anticipated the restoration of one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Asian stock markets also advanced on the news.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the announcement as a “potential breakthrough” and said the bloc was prepared to contribute to the next phase of diplomacy. “From economic leverage to nuclear expertise and longstanding relationships with Gulf partners, the EU stands ready to contribute to a sustainable resolution,” Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Reuters reports.

Shipping industry reacts with contained hope

Maritime organizations also welcomed the agreement, while cautioning that significant challenges remain before normal shipping operations can resume.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called the deal a crucial step toward restoring safety and freedom of navigation in the strategically vital waterway. "The agreement signals a crucial return to peace, dialogue, multilateralism and diplomacy," Dominguez said. He added that the organization would now move forward with plans to evacuate thousands of seafarers stranded in the region, although implementation would take time to ensure adequate safety and security guarantees.

The IMO also paid tribute to seafarers affected by the conflict, many of whom endured months of uncertainty and danger. To date, IMO has verified at least 46 attacks against international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on 28 February 2026.

In addition, industry leaders welcomed the prospect of peace but warned that commercial vessels should not rush back into the area until security concerns are fully addressed.

International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said the announcement would come as a relief to roughly 20,000 seafarers caught in the conflict. "Their safe departure from the region must be a top priority but will take time," Kazakos said.

With approximately 500 ships needing to transit the Strait of Hormuz to leave the region, he emphasized the need for close coordination between governments, industry stakeholders and the IMO. "We must see a permanent return to vessels being able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded," he added.

Furthermore, BIMCO urged shipowners to remain cautious until more details emerge. "The statements by the U.S. and Iran are currently unclear and do not offer sufficient information regarding key aspects such as timings and safe routes," explained Jakob Larsen, BIMCO’s Chief Safety and Security Officer, adding: “We still consider it very risky for ships to commence transits at this point.”

Larsen called for a coordinated international framework, ideally overseen by a neutral body such as the United Nations, to establish safe navigation routes, reporting procedures, naval protection measures and emergency response protocols. He also warned that naval mines remain a significant concern and said mine-free shipping lanes would need to be established before maritime traffic can return to pre-war levels.

According to BIMCO Chief Shipping Analyst Niels Rasmussen, based on Kpler data, approximately 600 vessels remain trapped inside the Persian Gulf, including around 250 tankers. "We expect it will take several weeks for all ships to leave the Persian Gulf. We have seen an increase in ships transiting the strait last week, however, there is no indication that the announcement of an agreement has changed the situation yet," Rasmussen predicted.

Furthermore, INTERTANKO welcomed the reported agreement, saying it “should bring a welcome relief to all seafarers in the region,” and noting that “too many of them have been killed and injured in this conflict,” adding that their “thoughts are with them and their families.” Managing Director Tim Wilkins urged cooperation between the US and Iranian administrations to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is free from threats and called for the restoration of internationally recognized navigation routes, stating that “freedom of navigation must be reintroduced using the internationally recognized Traffic Separation Scheme.”

INTERTANKO Marine Director Phillip Belcher also cautioned that, as the agreement is not yet signed, ships should take a careful approach and conduct “a ship-specific risk assessment” in line with industry guidance before transiting the area.

ITF: Agreement must deliver tangible protections for workers

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has cautiously welcomed the US-Iran peace framework, calling it a positive step toward ending a conflict that has left transport workers killed, injured, detained and stranded for more than 100 days. The federation warned that shipping and transport operations, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, are unlikely to return to normal immediately due to stranded vessels and ongoing safety concerns.

The ITF urged all parties to provide firm guarantees that civilian transport workers and infrastructure will be protected, and said workers should not resume operations until routes and facilities are confirmed safe. In addition, according to ITF, immediate measures must also be taken to:

• Facilitate crew changes, repatriation, and safe return of all transport workers.

• Secure the release of all detained civilian transport workers and civilian vessels, aircraft and cargo.

• Provide humanitarian access and emergency support to affected workers and their families.

• Establish coordinated plans to address operational backlogs, worker fatigue and staffing shortages created by the conflict.

• Ensure transport unions are involved in recovery and reopening arrangements at national, regional and international level.

The organization also called for support and protections for migrant transport workers affected by the conflict, stressing that recovery should be measured not only by reopened trade routes but by improved safety and rights for workers. "No worker should bear the human or economic cost of restarting transport after a conflict they did not create," highlighted Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary.

Source: safety4sea.com