Three barriers keep shipping out of Strait of Hormuz despite end to conflict

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-conflict levels, with experts pointing to three distinct obstacles blocking a return to normal operations.

Security concerns top the list of deterrents for vessel operators. Companies worry about attacks on ships transiting the waterway, a risk that persists even with the fighting between major combatants reduced or paused. Operators have adjusted routes and schedules around these perceived threats, adding time and expense to journeys.

Mines pose a second barrier. Military forces deployed explosive devices throughout the strait during the conflict, and clearance efforts have progressed slowly. Shipping companies remain cautious about routes through areas where mines may still lie undetected, forcing vessels to take longer passages or avoid the strait entirely.

New toll systems introduced by regional authorities form a third obstacle. Governments have imposed fees or charges on vessels passing through the waterway, increasing operational costs for shippers. These tolls apply to traffic that previously moved without such expenses, making alternative routes more economically competitive despite longer distances.

Together, these factors have kept cargo volumes substantially lower than before hostilities began. Experts said companies will not resume standard operations until they determine that security has improved, mine removal efforts have advanced further, and they can better absorb or negotiate toll costs.