Stranded ships start to move as quiet US overwatch spurs Hormuz exits
- Nearly 40 formerly stranded, non-Iranian linked vessels have exited the Middle East Gulf in the past three weeks, bringing total departures since March to 142
- The uptick comes as US is providing naval overwatch assurances and operators’ growing willingness to move despite high navigational and security risks
- Chinese- and Greek-affiliated ships dominate recent exits
- Overall traffic through Hormuz fell to its lowest point of the conflict in May, with dark transits surpassing traceable ones for the first time
Dozens of stranded vessels have begun slipping out of the Middle East Gulf in a steady new wave of Hormuz transits, aided by quiet US naval overwatch and fresh diplomatic deals. But the exits are raising concerns over navigational hazards
