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 temporarily caused oil prices to plummet, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked on Thursday, and the passage conditions in the region have not improved. Only 7 ships with some connection to Iran were observed leaving the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. Iranian state media reported that to demonstrate Tehran’s official control over the waterway, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization issued two shipping safety routes. These routes are necessary because various anti-ship mines may be present along the regular shipping lanes through this narrow strait. Martin Kelly, head of consulting at EOS Risk Group, said that re-discussing the mine threat in the Strait of Hormuz is “the worst-case scenario for the shipping industry,” and if the normal traffic routes are mined, restoring safe passage could take several months. Industry organization the International Chamber of Shipping stated that more work is needed before ships can resume large-scale transit. Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said there has been little movement so far, as no reliable confirmation has been received regarding safe passage, nor any specific information on how to restore normal transit. (Jin10) (Source: ODAILY)