Mine clearing in Strait of Hormuz could delay shipping traffic for up to 50 days

Clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz to restore safe transit could delay the return of normal maritime traffic by several weeks, even after an agreement is reached to reopen the strategic waterway.

Security risks in the region persist, according to a report by the Reuters news agency, which cited shipping and maritime security sources.

Estimates from five Western sources operating in maritime security suggest that the clearance operation, which will utilize traditional minesweepers and underwater drones, could take 40 to 50 days to complete. Sources stated that this process must be concluded before insurance, shipping, and oil companies will be willing to risk transiting the strait.

The projected delay could impact global markets at a time when oil inventories in the world’s largest economies have fallen to their lowest levels since 2003. Based on pre-war shipment volumes, estimates suggest that tens of millions of additional barrels of oil could remain trapped in the strait, adding to the Persian Gulf shipments that have been blocked since February 28.

Jakob Larsen, the head of maritime safety and security at the shipping association BIMCO, called for caution regarding the situation:

“At this stage, we believe it is still too risky to begin transits. The mine hazard in the region remains a problem both now and for the future; therefore, safe, de-mined routes must be established.”

The report noted that the exact number of mines laid by Iran remains unknown in the strait, which accounted for 20% of global daily oil and natural gas shipments before the war. A June 11 briefing note from the German Navy, citing data from US and British naval forces, stated that the mines were located in four areas around the strait, though Germany noted it could not independently verify these locations.

The mere possibility of mines is highlighted as enough to keep shipping companies away from the region. Because a supertanker carrying crude oil can be valued at approximately $300 million, war-risk insurers, oil companies, and tanker operators are expected to demand guarantees of safe passage.

Rene Kofod-Olsen, CEO of V.Group—one of the world’s largest technical ship and crew management companies, which has 13 vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf—evaluated the situation:

“Even a single naval mine is enough to cause loss of life. This is clearly a massive problem for the global shipping industry.”

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the UN’s International Maritime Organization, welcomed the agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “an important step toward restoring security in this vital corridor for seafarers and ships.” However, Dominguez added that “implementation will take time to ensure all necessary security and safety guarantees are met.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that an agreement had been signed with Iran, that the Strait of Hormuz was partially opened to maritime traffic, and that it would be fully opened as of June 19.

Trump claimed that, at the current stage, “a search is being conducted for a few mines.”