Analysis: The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has not resolved the shipping impasse, and details on the resumption of shipping are still lacking.

ME News report, April 9 (UTC+8). Despite the fragile ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran that briefly drove oil prices sharply lower, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained obstructed on Thursday, and conditions for passage in the area have yet to improve. On Wednesday, only 7 ships with some links to Iran were observed leaving the Persian Gulf. Iranian state media reported that, to demonstrate Tehran’s formal control over the waterway, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization issued two shipping safety routes. Since various anti-ship mines may be present along the regular shipping lanes through this narrow strait, these routes are necessary. Martin Kelly, head of consulting at EOS Risk Group, said that revisiting the mine threat in the Strait of Hormuz is “the worst-case scenario for the shipping industry,” and that if the normal traffic route plans are mined, restoring safe passage would take at least several months. The industry organization International Chamber of Shipping said that more work is still needed before ships can pass through the area again on a large scale. Association Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said there has been little movement so far, because no reliable confirmation has been received regarding ensuring safe passage, and no specific information has yet been received on how passage will return to normal. (Jin10) (Source: ODAILY)