Intertanko backs Hormuz deal, tells masters: “take nothing for granted”

• Pakistan announces deal between US and Iran; fate of Strait of Hormuz transits unclear

A US/Iran ‘deal’, announced on 14 June and due for signature on Friday, 19 June, lifts the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and reopens the Hormuz chokepoint. Pakistani mediation ended months of war. The stakes are plain. A quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and a fifth of its LNG pass through the strait in normal times. Since late February, almost none has. Iran shut it after US and Israeli strikes.

In a statement INTERTANKO highlighted the human cost of the conflict and called for clarifications on the administrative and practical arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz.

INTERTANKO, managing director, Tim Wilkins, commented: “We urge the US and Iranian administrations to collaborate in ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is free from the threat of mines, while split navigation between the so-called Omani and Iranian routes should be halted. Freedom of navigation must be reintroduced using the internationally recognised Traffic Separation Scheme.”

On next steps, INTERTANKO marine director, Phillip Belcher, said: “As this agreement is not due to be signed until Friday 19th June, for ships that need to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a cautious approach should be undertaken. The industry has developed guidelines for use in the event of the Strait reopening, and these should be consulted. A ship-specific risk assessment must be undertaken as detailed in the guidance.”

That guidance, issued in May by ICS, BIMCO, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, IMCA and OCIMF, provides important immediate advice that also holds should the worst return, even with a deal in place. Crews are told to plan for total GNSS loss. Treat AIS spoofing as routine. Expect a surge of traffic as soon as a window opens. If more than 60 contacts appear within 12 nautical miles, consider waiting. Stray mines, loitering munitions and fatigued crews all feature. Crucially, through it all, the master has the final say.

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