Strait of Hormuz shipping recovery to take weeks

Yotaro Tamura, director of Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, told the Financial Times that shipowners will not resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz for several more weeks. According to Tamura, more than just a US-Iran peace agreement is needed-a specific accord that reflects the actual conditions in the Strait of Hormuz is essential.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed before the outbreak of fighting, has been de facto closed by Iran following the start of US and Israeli airstrikes. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, one of the world's largest shipping companies, warns that normalizing ship traffic will take considerable time even after a peace agreement is reached.

Tamura: More than just an agreement is needed

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines director Yotaro Tamura told the Financial Times in an interview that shipowners will not return to the Strait of Hormuz until they are confident that a peace deal between the US and Iran actually works. Tamura emphasized that the agreement must be substantive and tailored to the actual conditions in the strait.

"Given the experience of recent months, I believe it is reasonable to assume that normal shipping operations resuming may take at least a couple of weeks, possibly even a month," said Tamura.

The interview took place before US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, 16 June 2026, that an agreement had been reached with Iran to end the war. The war began on 28 February 2026.

Trump's optimism fails to convince shipping companies

Following the announcement of the peace deal, Trump wrote on social media that oil tankers could immediately begin transiting the Strait of Hormuz and that it is "completely safe and reliable." According to the Financial Times, this did not change Tamura's position.

Reuters noted that while the US-Iran agreement allows for an end to the war, the mechanism for its implementation remains unclear. Both countries have acknowledged that talks on a permanent ceasefire have not yet taken place. A provisional agreement is to extend the fragile ceasefire announced in April for a further 60 days and open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.

Nuclear question remains open

During the next round of 60-day talks, complex issues will need to be resolved, including the future of Iran's nuclear programme. Other key issues used by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to justify the war-Iranian support for armed groups in the region and restrictions on Iran's missile programme-are not currently on the negotiating agenda.

Mitsui O.S.K., which ranks among Japan's three largest shipping companies, operates more than 900 vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers and car carriers. The company did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.