UK-based maritime analysis company Windward released a report on the 19th stating that, after Iran briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz, the passage was once again closed. Over the past 36 hours, 35 ships turned back while exiting the strait.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the report says that after Iran announced the reopening of the strait on the 17th, ship traffic remained cautious that day. On the 18th, traffic through the strait was sparse at first but then rapidly increased, with ships racing to pass before the situation deteriorated. A total of 35 ships passed through the strait that day, of which 8 entered (including 4 oil tankers, 2 bulk carriers, and 2 other cargo ships); 27 exited (including 8 oil tankers, 3 bulk carriers, 15 other cargo ships, and 1 passenger ship).
The report indicates that after Iran announced the closure of the strait again on the 18th, Windward immediately confirmed that 13 ships had turned back, including 4 container ships that turned back after having already passed through the strait. The same day, 3 ship attack incidents were recorded, bringing the total number of vessels attacked since the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran to 29. These attacks further intensified the wave of ships turning back.
The report also notes that ships have been continuously attempting to break through the US blockade of Iranian ports. From the 17th to the 19th, Windward assessed that there were 20 ships suspected of breaking the US blockade.
The report indicates that after Iran announced the closure of the strait again on the 18th, Windward immediately confirmed that 13 ships had turned back, including 4 container ships that turned back after having already passed through the strait. The same day, 3 ship attack incidents were recorded, bringing the total number of vessels attacked since the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran to 29. These attacks further intensified the wave of ships turning back.
The report also notes that ships have been continuously attempting to break through the US blockade of Iranian ports. From the 17th to the 19th, Windward assessed that there were 20 ships suspected of breaking the US blockade.