Iran: More vessels wait at Hormuz, but owners still wary despite US-Iran deal.

Shotlist Strait of Hormuz - May 22-23, 2026 1. Various of vessels sailing at sea FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 2. Various of White House FILE: Tehran, Iran - Jan 25, 2026 3. National flags of Iran Tehran, Iran - June 6, 2026 4. Various of traffic; national flags of Iran 5. Various of buildings Storyline Vessels waiting to transit the Strait of Hormuz have increased following the U.S.-Iran announcement of reaching a deal to end war, but ship owners and operators remain cautious about safety, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday. Citing analysis from maritime data firm Kpler, the report said that out of hundreds of idle vessels in the Gulf region, nearly 300 are already loaded and ready to pass through the Strait, and a similar number of ships are waiting in the Gulf of Oman to return to major export terminals. Theoretically, this could release millions of barrels of crude oil supply, but actual transit still faces multiple obstacles, including the need to remove marine growth from hulls and competing for the right of way in the narrow waterway. Brett Erickson, managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, said that safety is the core concern for all ship owners. He added that the shipping industry, captains, and seafarers were highly alert to the situation and knew that one miscalculation, one attack, or one political decision could seriously worsen it. Before the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war in late February, the average daily volume of oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz was 20 million barrels, accounting for about one-fifth of the world's daily oil transport. Kpler estimated that after more than three months of conflict, about 500 commercial vessels remain stranded in the Gulf. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/Israel Media/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda]