Normal shipping will not resume in strait of Hormuz until 80 mines cleared - AOL

The centre of the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked by about 80 mines that will need clearing before normal shipping can resume, Intertanko said. Although some vessels began to exit the Gulf after a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, experts warn that traffic is unlikely to return to normal for some time, even if a ceasefire holds. Before the conflict, about 130 ships a day passed through the strait and roughly 20% of global oil flowed via the route. The situation has left about 20,000 seafarers stranded on either side, with some ships slipping through at night near the Omani coast with transmitters off and with U.S. assistance, while others paid Tehran’s tollbooth arrangements. The center has warned of navigational risks as hundreds of vessels queue, and Iran’s reported signal jamming during the conflict has left ships effectively blind at times. Lloyd’s List’s Richard Meade called the situation uncharted territory and unlikely to return to normal this year, while observers note nearly 600 vessels remain in the Gulf. There are also ongoing concerns Iran may charge a maritime fee to vessels crossing the strait.