German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd’s vessels will not resume transiting the Strait of Hormuz for now as the situation remains “tense” despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, German media reported Wednesday.
Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the key waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil usually passes, as part of the two-week truce.
At least two ships have since passed through the strait, according to maritime monitor Marine Traffic.
But a spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd told media group RND that “based on our current risk assessment, we will continue to refrain from transiting the strait”.
“Whether the announced reopening will actually hold will become clear in the coming days,” he said.
A Hapag-Lloyd vessel in the Gulf caught fire last month after being hit with shrapnel. The blaze was put out and no crew members were injured.
Six Hapag-Lloyd vessels are currently in the Gulf, according to the company, among the hundreds that have been stranded since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran in February.
“We are continuously and very carefully assessing when transit will be possible again,” the spokesman said.
At least 50 vessels operated by German companies, with about 1,000 seafarers on board, are trapped, according to the German shipowners’ association.
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