Shipping firms question safety in strait of Hormuz despite Trump plan | Shipping industry
The world shipping industry questioned whether ships could safely travel to and from the Gulf after Donald Trump announced his latest plan to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote on Monday that the US navy would “guide” stranded ships through the waterway, and wrote on the social media site Truth Social that the “Freedom Project” operation would be a humanitarian gesture “on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries, especially the Nation of Iran.”
However, within a few hours, Iran’s Fars news agency reported that a US warship trying to pass through the strait was hit by two missiles and turned back after ignoring Iran’s warning. He denied that the US ship was hit. Brent crude rose more than 5% to $114.45 a barrel amid reports that the United Arab Emirates was responding to a missile threat and fire against a South Korean ship in the Gulf.
US Central Command (Centcom) said: Two US-flagged merchant ships “successfully passed” through the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime industry experts questioned whether the president’s plan would be sustainable or whether it would be a limited operation to remove some of the stranded ships.
About 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically passes through the strait, but that flow has come to a near halt since February 28, when the US-Israeli war with Iran began.
Sascha Meijer, general secretary of seafarers’ union Nautilus, said: “Sailors stranded in the strait would really appreciate protection for ships to sail. But is this protection certain? What about the mines? Are the ships insured? Is this offer sufficient? It is too early to conclude whether this is good news or creates more danger.”
His comments were echoed by Raman Kapoor, captain of the oil tanker stranded in the strait. He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme. He said he wouldn’t risk trying to leave the program.
“As a captain, it is also my duty to assess the situation. [the] the entire crew – whether they were willing to risk their lives. “This is a long process,” he said.
Trump did not provide details on how to rescue more than 850 ships stranded in the Gulf.
“I told my representatives to let them know that we will use our best efforts to safely remove their Ships and Crews from the Strait,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “In any case, they said they wouldn’t be returning until the area was safe for navigation and everything else.”
Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer at shipping industry group Bimco, also said the president’s comments needed clarification.
“Without Iran’s permission to allow commercial ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, it is unclear at this time whether the Iranian threat to shipping can be reduced or suppressed,” Larsen said.
“Given Iran’s threats to any ship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with the Iranian military, there is a risk of a re-breakout of hostilities if the ‘Freedom Project’ continues.”
“U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 service members,” Centcom said in a statement.
The move by the White House comes as the crisis in the Middle East threatens to plunge the global economy into recession and oil prices are nearly 50% higher than pre-conflict levels.
