Key points
- Mitsui O.S.K. CEO Jotaro Tamura says shipping through the Strait of Hormuz may not resume for weeks.
- Ship owners are waiting for confirmation that the U.S.-Iran peace deal is stable and “material”.
- The conflict has disrupted a major global energy shipping route carrying about a fifth of oil and LNG supply.
- The company says operations will only resume after safety is fully confirmed.
- Mitsui O.S.K. is coordinating with governments, insurers and stakeholders before restarting transit.
Main Story
The Chief Executive Officer of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Jotaro Tamura, has said ship owners are unlikely to resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks until they are confident that a United States and Iran peace agreement is stable and “material”.
Tamura made the remarks during an interview with the Financial Times, noting that ongoing tensions in the region have significantly disrupted global shipping routes.
According to him, the war, which began in late February, has already forced a halt in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that handles around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply, along with commodities such as aluminium and urea.
He said it may take at least a few weeks, or up to a month, before conditions improve enough for a potential return to normal operations, even after a ceasefire announcement by United States President Donald Trump.
Tamura said recent experiences in the region have made ship owners cautious about returning too quickly to the route.
In a separate statement emailed to Reuters, Mitsui O.S.K. said it recognises signs of movement toward a ceasefire but will not resume operations until safety is fully confirmed.
The company added that the resumption of transit would require close coordination with governments, insurers and other relevant stakeholders.
Mitsui O.S.K., one of Japan’s largest shipping companies, operates a fleet of more than 900 vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers and ferries.
The Issues
- Ongoing security risks in the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global shipping routes.
- Uncertainty around the durability of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement.
- Economic impact on global energy and commodity supply chains.
- Insurance and operational risks delaying resumption of maritime traffic.
What’s Being Said
- Jotaro Tamura said: “Given the experiences in the last couple of months, it is reasonable to assume that it may take at least a couple of weeks or, if not a month.”
- Mitsui O.S.K. said: “We recognise that there are signs of movement toward a ceasefire. However, operations will not be resumed until safety has been sufficiently confirmed.”
What’s Next
- Shipping companies are expected to continue avoiding the Strait of Hormuz until risk assessments improve.
- Further coordination with governments and insurers will determine when maritime traffic resumes.
- Market watchers will monitor developments around the U.S.-Iran agreement for signs of stability.
Bottom Line
Despite emerging ceasefire signals, major shipping operators say transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains suspended due to lingering security concerns, with resumption likely to depend on verified stability and coordinated international assurance.
