Ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises as US guides crossings
Why it matters: More sailings could ease pressure on oil, gas and goods flows after months of war disruption and stranded vessels.
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is starting to pick up after months of disruption tied to the US-Israeli war with Iran, with some shipowners resuming crossings after receiving navigational advice from US forces. US Central Command said it is not escorting vessels but is providing guidance to commercial ships in the region. At least a quarter of non-Iranian ships stranded near Hormuz have now left, and some vessels are entering the Persian Gulf as well as exiting. The BBC reported about 1,600 ships and roughly 20,000 sailors had been trapped in or near the waterway after Iran restricted passage. A sustained rise in transits would help restore shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas and consumer goods.