New Delhi, June 16: A leading global shipping company has announced that it will not be sending vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the recent agreement on a US-Iran peace deal.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) from Japan stated that ship owners will refrain from sending their vessels immediately through Hormuz, even with the agreement in place.
In an interview with the Financial Times, MOL’s CEO Jotaro Tamura emphasized that shipping companies will wait until they are assured that the US-Iran agreement is not merely a paper arrangement but has tangible effects on the ground.
Tamura remarked, “A simple agreement between the involved countries is not sufficient. It is essential that its impact is clearly visible in the actual conditions of Hormuz. Only then will shipping companies feel secure enough to resume sending their vessels through the area.”
According to him, it may take several weeks before normal traffic of oil tankers and cargo ships is restored in Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump claimed that the route through the Strait of Hormuz is now “safe, secure, and fully normal” following the announcement of the agreement. However, this waterway has been nearly completely shut down since the end of February.
Tamura made these comments prior to Trump’s announcement of the US-Iran peace deal. Nevertheless, MOL clarified on Monday that Tamura’s assessment remains unchanged despite the finalization of the agreement.
MOL is one of the largest tanker operating companies in the world, with over 900 vessels, including more than 200 dedicated to transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and chemicals. Based on the number of ships, it is considered the largest tanker operator globally.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, stated that the organization is assessing how to safely and securely extract vessels. He mentioned that measures are being considered to avoid potential maritime mines and excessive congestion, as these could increase the risk of accidents.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
