MARITIME TRADE & SHIPPING
HORMUZ REOPENS: Iran Clears All Commercial Vessels Through World’s Most Critical Oil Strait After Months of War-Induced Shutdown
HORMUZ REOPENS: Iran Clears All Commercial Vessels Through World’s Most Critical Oil Strait After Months of War-Induced Shutdown
Relief for global shipping as Tehran restores access through strategic choke-point — but with conditions
By Oghenewoke Onoriode, Waterways News Reporter | April 18, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — has been reopened to commercial shipping after being effectively shut down to all merchant traffic since late February, following months of hostilities in the US-Iran war.
The resumption of maritime traffic through the strategic chokepoint, confirmed by Reuters, marks a significant turning point for global shipping, which had suffered severe disruption due to attacks, mines, and other threats in the region. Freight volumes in the area had plummeted as shipowners diverted vessels and insurers hiked war risk premiums to punitive levels.
The reopening follows the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that the strait would remain open for the duration of the truce, providing a narrow but welcome window for commercial operators seeking to resume operations through the waterway.
However, Tehran has laid out strict conditions for passage. Navigation will be restricted to lanes designated as safe by Iranian authorities, and all vessels must first obtain authorisation from both the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organisation and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with passage coordinated directly through the IRGC.
In a notable concession, Iranian officials confirmed that American-registered commercial vessels will also be permitted to transit the strait, with the only exclusion being military ships of any nationality.
For Nigerian shipowners, freight forwarders, and commodity traders — particularly those with interests in petroleum product imports and crude oil exports routed through Gulf markets — the development carries significant implications. Any sustained reopening of Hormuz eases pressure on alternative supply chains that had driven up cargo costs and delivery timelines for Nigerian operators over recent months.
The shipping industry and its associations are closely tracking developments as the ceasefire holds, aware that the situation remains fragile and subject to rapid change.
Waterways News will continue to monitor and report on this developing story.