Strait of Hormuz reopens as U.S.-Iran peace talks progress
Strait of Hormuz reopens as U.S.-Iran peace talks progress
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
Iran announced Friday it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The waterway for global energy supplies, which has been shut since the U.S. and Israel started bombing Iran at the end of February, is now “completely open” for commercial shipping, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.
President Donald Trump responded on X, saying “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”
Trump added that “the Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.
Iran’s Navy Tells Ships Strait of Hormuz Shut Again, Two Vessels Report Gunfire
The Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios I, an oil tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, arrives in Iraq’s territorial waters off Basra,Iraq April 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty
Iran’s Navy Tells Ships Strait of Hormuz Shut Again, Two Vessels Report Gunfire
Reuters
Total Views: 1
April 18, 2026
ATHENS, April 18 (Reuters) – Merchant vessels attempting to cross the
Strait of Hormuz
on Saturday received radio messages from Iran’s navy telling them they were not allowed to pass, while two ships reported being hit by gunfire, shipping sources said.
Several commercial vessels tried to transit the strait after
receiving a notice
to mariners a day earlier saying passage would be allowed but restricted to lanes Iran deemed safe.
Read Also:
Shipping Industry Pushes Back on ‘Open’ Hormuz Narrative as Risks Persist
On Saturday, at least two ships reported that Iranian boats fired shots, shipping and maritime security sources told Reuters. The incidents were reported in waters between th
Ensuring maritime safety in times of rapid change
Ensuring maritime safety in times of rapid change
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
Operating in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technological landscape, the cruise segment is adopting a technology‑driven approach to safety, crew training, and fleet operations. Strong partnerships with trusted experts, such as those from DNV, enable Carnival Cruise Line to translate complex demands into practical, future‑ready solutions.
Facing new technologies, regulations, sustainability goals, and a significant generational change, leading cruise operators are focusing on crew development and digital literacy whilst integrating tools for risk management and safety. A robust technology-enabled safety culture and fostering collaboration across all levels is key.
Hormuz on 16 April: Dry & Liquid crossings drop to 4; no gas activity recorded
Hormuz on 16 April: Dry & Liquid crossings drop to 4; no gas activity recorded
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
A quick update from AXSMarine on the latest vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
On 16 April, we recorded 4 confirmed crossings across tracked segments, down from 8 on 15 April, marking a further slowdown following the US counter-blockade enforcement. This brings the post-blockade (13–16 April) average to 8.2 crossings per day, compared to 11.6 during the ceasefire window (8–12 April).
Notably, no gas carrier crossings were observed on 16 April — the first gas-free day since 13 April — highlighting continued weakness in the most risk-sensitive segment.
Activity on the day was split evenly between dry bulk and tankers:
Two dry bulk/MPP vessels crossed inbound (East→West), including NESHAT (Iranian-owned) and SDR UNIVERSE (Turkey-owned). No outbound bulk movements were recorded, placing the segment at the lower end of its recent post-blockade range.
Two tanke
Fujairah’s fuel oil inventories plunge 24% amid higher exports
Fujairah’s fuel oil inventories plunge 24% amid higher exports
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
Fujairah’s residual fuel oil inventories have averaged 24% lower so far in April compared to March, according to the latest data from Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) and S&P Global.
Changes in monthly average Fujairah stocks from March to April (so far):
Heavy distillate and residual stocks down 1.40 million bbls to 4.41 million bbls
Middle distillate stocks down 777,000 bbls to 1.24 million bbls
Heavy distillate and residual fuel oil inventories in Fujairah have dropped below 5 million bbls, reaching multi-year lows.
Fuel oil inflows into the Middle Eastern bunker hub have remained subdued this month, likely reflecting the ongoing Middle East crisis. Imports have averaged 27,000 b/d so far, up slightly from 14,000 b/d in March, according to cargo tracking data from Vortexa. All incoming volumes, for both months, have originated from Iran.
The composition of these imports has rema
Europe and Asia’s response to 60% Middle East crude export collapse reshapes global energy trade
Europe and Asia’s response to 60% Middle East crude export collapse reshapes global energy trade
in
Freight News
18/04/2026
Middle East crude exports collapsed nearly 60% between early February and early March 2026, falling from 18.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5.9 million bpd as the Strait of Hormuz faced paralysis, according to Wood Mackenzie’s VesselTracker. This disruption has triggered an unprecedented global energy realignment, with Europe importing record North American crude and refined products while simultaneously exporting surplus gasoline and fuel oil (FO) to Asia.
“This is not a temporary disruption but a structural shift in global energy flows,” said Javier Solis, Analyst at Wood Mackenzie – Maritime Team. “Europe’s diesel deficit and gasoline surplus, combined with Asia’s role as the balancing valve, represent a moving landscape in which pricing and flows remain tightly linked to political decisions rather than purely commercial signals.”
Dual chokepoint paralysis f
Panamax Supply Outlook as Hormuz Faces Strain
Panamax Supply Outlook as Hormuz Faces Strain
in
International Shipping News
18/04/2026
T
he ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is impacting the Panamax dry bulk segment. According to recent media reports, a potential two-week extension to ceasefire discussions is under consideration, although this remains unconfirmed at the official level.
In this context, Signal Ocean data show that the number of Panamax vessels in ballast condition within the Strait has remained stable at around 30 (as shown in the chart below), while laden vessel counts have declined sharply from late-February highs. This divergence points to emerging delays in loading or transit for vessels operating in the region amid ongoing disruptions.
Scheduled Vessel Deliveries Highest since 2014
Panamax vessel deliveries are projected to reach a record high in 2026, with approximately 15 million dwt of new capacity entering the market, up from roughly 10–11 million dwt in the prior year.
India’s oil and gas crisis is a wake-up call for transport electrification
India’s oil and gas crisis is a wake-up call for transport electrification
in
Oil & Companies News
18/04/2026
The conflict in West Asia has once again exposed India’s vulnerability in securing oil and gas supplies. As the world’s third-largest crude oil consumer, India imports nearly 85% of its crude, and prior to the US-Iran war, 45% of those imports transited the Strait of Hormuz. When that chokepoint closed, the consequences were immediate.
A swift, multi-pronged government response helped cushion the worst immediate effects, but it also exposed how much further India needs to go.
Iran Requiring IRGC Coordination for Hormuz Transits
Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Iran Requiring IRGC Coordination for Hormuz Transits
Reuters
Total Views: 0
April 17, 2026
DUBAI, April 17 (Reuters) – All ships can sail through the
Strait of Hormuz
but this needs to be coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps (IRGC), a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that unfreezing Iranian funds was part of the deal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that the strait was open after a ceasefire accord was agreed in Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed a deal to end the Iran war would come “soon,” although the timing remains unclear.
The Iranian official said transits would be restricted to lanes that Iran deemed safe, adding that military vessels were still prohibited from crossing the strait.
It was not immediately clear if this included or ex
Hold the Champagne: Oil Recovery Faces Weeks of Delay as Supply Chain Shocks Deepen
Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Hold the Champagne: Oil Recovery Faces Weeks of Delay as Supply Chain Shocks Deepen
Lori Ann LaRocco
Total Views: 1
April 17, 2026
Hold off on popping the champagne. The oil recovery will take weeks to normalize, and supply chain shocks are already here.
By Lori Ann LaRocco – Don’t be fooled by the latest
declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is “open.”
Many things still need to be put in place for that to truly happen.